Cops said an actor threatened to kill Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein if he didn't wire him millions of dollars in cash. INSIDE EDITION has the scoop.
A bizarre extortion plot that targeted famed movie producer Harvey Weinstein has been foiled.
Authorities said 25-year-old actor Vivek Shah, tried to shake down Weinstein for $4 million by threatening to kill his family. His wife is well-known fashion designer, Georgina Chapman.
The Weinstein's are one of Hollywood's most powerful couples. He's the co-founder of Miramax studios, earning acclaim for Shakespeare in Love and this year his film The Artist won the Oscar® for Best Picture. Georgina has dressed many of Hollywood's biggest stars through her fashion label Marchesa, including a sexy gold gown that George Clooney's girlfriend Stacey Keibler wore to the Oscars®.
A federal affidavit obtained by TheSmokingGun.com accused Shah of sending Weinstein a letter that "contained a threat to kill [Weinstein's] family unless a large sum of money was wired to an offshore bank account." In his letter to Weinstein, investigators said Shah wrote about "financial troubles" and said he "needed $4 million and would return the money with 4% interest" once he was back on his feet.
The Smoking Gun's Managing Editor, Andrew Goldberg told INSIDE EDITION, "Right now Vivek Shah is looking at 20 years in federal prison on one extortion account, but in all likelihood he is going to be indicted on some other charges as well and will be facing more time."
Shah's Facebook page shows a D-lister who tried to rub shoulders with A-list celebrities. Posting pictures at parties with Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise, and Alec Baldwin. He also had a bit part in The Dark Knight.
Now, it looks like he's finally found the fame he craved, though not in the way he ever wanted.
