Court documents reveal that singer and actress Jennifer Lopez has filed a lawsuit against one of her former drivers. The lawsuit is for $20 million and it claims that the driver requested $2.8 million from her or else he would divulge all of her secrets. The driver, Hakob Manoukian, was the head of Lopez’s transportation and security. Lopez claims that Manoukian participated in conspiracy, extortion and attempted extortion.
Lopez hired Manoukian in 2005. Manoukian is also in the midst of a battle with Benny Media, Lopez’s manager, about contractual differences. The court documents were filed with Los Angeles Superior Court and they say that Manoukian wanted more control of the security team and more money. Lopez is asking for $20 million in damages.
“Manoukian plotted to retaliate against Ms. Lopez and her management and to use his apparent position of trust to exploit and extort substantial sums from Ms. Lopez,” the lawsuit says.
“In the furtherance of this plot, he abruptly terminated his employment with Ms. Lopez and began to threaten her with revealing sensitive and personal information that he had allegedly overheard while driving Ms. Lopez.”
Lopez was in the news early in July when she announced that she would not be returning as a judge next season on “American Idol.” Lopez is out on tour with Enrique Iglesias now.