Earlier this week Shaquille O'Neal was accused of
hacking into a former employee's computer and planting child porn. Shaq says it's nothing more than a diabolical plot to extort him for $12 million.
Shawn Darling, a computer consultant engaged by basketball star Shaquille O’Neal to install and service a home theater and then service personal computer equipment, copied without permission thousands of emails and communications from Mr. O’Neal.
Darling, an ex-convict with a long criminal record that he failed to disclose and hid from Mr. O’Neal, has demanded $12 million in exchange for not releasing Mr. O’Neal’s personal and confidential emails and communications. When Mr. O’Neal refused to be extorted, Darling filed a lawsuit claiming “invasion of privacy and emotional distress.”
Mr. O’Neal is represented by Miami attorney Benjamine Reid. Reid called the basis for the suit “complete and utter fabrication.”
Darling was sentenced in 1999 to 32 months in a federal prison in Wisconsin for bank fraud and misuse of Social Security numbers, and upon his release, the judge ordered Darling to have no contact with organized career criminals. Darling also has a record of being arrested or charged in more than 15 criminal cases in the Chicago area.
Darling has hired three lawyers in succession, demanding payment of $12 million to not disclose Mr. O’Neal’s personal communications and emails. Mr. O’Neal has made it crystal clear that he will never respond to these outrageous tactics. As a result, Darling filed a lawsuit which seeks only to embarrass, harass and extract money from Mr. O’Neal.
Reid said all the material copied from O’Neal’s computers was done so without permission. He said this is another unfortunate incident of people targeting celebrities in search of a big pay day.
