Extortion attempt against Travolta family confirmed by lawmaker

Extortion attempt against Travolta family confirmed by lawmaker

The Bahama Police have launched an investigation surrounding an attempt to extort money from John Travolta 's family, Obie Wilchcombe, a member of the Bahamian Parliament, confirms to Usmagazine.com.

All the details of the plot have not been released, but Wilchcombe tells Us that only one person -- not two, which has been reported -- is involved. A Bahamian newspaper, The Tribune, has suggested that the extortion attempt is connected to the recent loss of 16-year old Jett Travolta, who died of a seizure disorder Jan. 2 at the family's vacation home in the Bahamas.

Obie Wilchcombe denies reports that the person behind the plot is a politician. "The lawyer who brought the situation to my attention is a politician," he clarifies.

Wilchcombe says he was approached about the extortion plot early last week and passed along the information to Travolta's lawyers, Michael Ossi and Michael McDermott.

"The irony was that the Travolta family just sent a letter of gratitude - it happened that afternoon," says Wilchcombe, referring to a Jan. 12 statement issued by McDermott, Travolta's lawyer, thanking the people of the Bahamas for their support.

"I thought it was a despicable act," Wilchcombe tells Us when he first heard news of the extortion plot. "One person should not destroy the character of the country."