EXCLUSIVE VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Blackmailer Told Travolta Lawyer Deal "Has To Be Done Today"
Sept. 24 2009, Published 8:42 a.m. ET
The man charged with blackmailing John Travolta told the actor's lawyer "This have to be done today" in his attempt to extort $25 million, according to an official transcript obtained exclusively by RadarOnline.com of a secretly videotaped meeting.
Tarino Lightbourne was anxious to get his money and worried he might be killed by a hitman. He met with Travolta lawyer Michael McDermott in January, just weeks after Jett Travolta's tragic death in the Bahamas. Tarino and Pleasant Bridgewater are now standing trial on charges of trying to blackmail the actor.
Click here to see a copy of Jett Travolta's death certificate.
The secret video of Lighbourne's meeting with McDermott will be blockbuster evidence for the prosecution and only RadarOnline.com has the official transcript of that video. New pages of the transcript being released by RadarOnline.com show that Lightbourne was in a hurry to get his money.
Here's a partial transcript:
Lightbourne: This have to be done today. This have to be...
McDermott: Well, I'm all for that because I want to get the hell out of here, too.
Lightbourne: Yeah.
McDermott: Because I'm tired of not sleeping and I'm tired of the same bull**** that you're tired of.
Lightbourne: Can I guarantee you again, Mike, you'll never hear about this again. The only two person knows is me and Pleasant.
Only two persons know. I guarantee you that.
Click here to read the newly released transcript of the meeting.
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Lightbourne was unaware the meeting was being secretly videotaped. And at one point he admitted he knew what he was doing was a crime.
The alleged blackmail scheme centered around a document Travolta signed that released medical personnel from liability. It could be interpreted as a refusal of treatment. But at the time Travolta was considering flying Jett to Florida for treatment. The actor testified in Bahamian court Wednesday that he didn't even read the document.
Click here to watch an interview with one of the rescue workers who tried to save Jett Travolta.
In the transcript newly released by RadarOnline.com, it appears that Bridgewater is getting a $5 million cut of the blackmail money. At one point, McDermott, who is cooperating with authorities, is haggling over the amount of money Travolta will supposedly pay and says "Hey Pleasant, you kick in your five million and we'll get back to 10 (million dollars)."
Lightbourne later expresses concern he will be killed and says: "How do I know if I got to the States one day, a hit man - it's not a hit on me?"