Bahamian Politician Bailed in Travolta Extortion Plot

Second suspect arraigned on charges of conspiring to extort $25 million from John Travolta and his family

A former Bahamian lawmaker today turned up in court to face charges of conspiring to extort $25 million from John Travolta and Kelly Preston in the wake of their son Jett's tragic death.

Appearing this morning in a courtroom jam-packed with rowdy supporters and critics, Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater was formally charged on one count of "abetment to extort" and "conspiracy to commit extortion." Bridgewater, who has proclaimed her innocence since being arrested a week ago, was not required to enter a plea at this time.

"She was released on $50,000 bail and resigned from her position as senator," Royal Bahamas Police Assistant Commissioner Raymond Gibson tells E! News.

Bridgewater is expected to return to court on Feb. 11.

The other suspect in the case, paramedic Tarino Lightbourne, was charged with conspiracy to commit extortion and attempted extortion and entered his not guilty plea on Monday.

A third person taken into custody, MP Obie Wilchcombe, a family friend of the Travoltas and a former minister of tourism for the island nation, was cleared of wrongdoing and is said to have assisted police in their investigation.

"No criminal charges were brought against him," said Gibson.

The official declined to divulge further information regarding the extent of Bridgewater's alleged involvement in the scheme or the details of the conversations she had with Travolta's attorney that led to her arrest.

"We want to try this case in court; not in the media," Gibson said.

Details regarding the nature of the extortion plot are fuzzy.

But a certain document at the heart of the complaint is a refusal-to-transport form, which waives first responders from all liability when signed by a party that refuses emergency medical aid from trained personnel for minor injuries.

Officials believe the document is in Lightbourne's possession and he purportedly threatened to sell it unless Travolta paid up, even though the form didn't apply in this case because Jett's injuries were life-threatening. The 47-year-old medic remains held without bail for fear that if he is released, the refusal-to-transport form could end up disappearing.

Jett Travolta died unexpectedly of a seizure Jan. 2 at the Grand Bahama villa where the family was on holiday. Shortly after the 16-year-old's death, Travolta's lawyers were purportedly contacted with the extortion demands and in turn filed a criminal complaint with police.

(Originally published Jan. 27, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. PT.)