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4.4

The Extortion Investigation

Extortion on the part of an attorney warrants disbarment.
Barton v. State Bar of California (1935) 40 P.2d 502, 2 C.2d 294.
Anthony Pellicano stated repeatedly to the news media that
the entire child molestation allegation was an elaborate extor-
tion scheme by Mr. Rothman and Dr. Chandler to extort money
from Michael Jackson. Throughout the entire ordeal Mr.
Pellicano never changed his opinion. In a declaration filed by
Mr. Pellicano in opposition to a Motion for Trial Preference
and in support of Michael Jackson's Motion for Stay of Dis-
covery and Trial, he stated that Dr. Chandler and Mr. Rothman
demanded twenty million dollars in the form of four-five
million dollar payments for writing deals for Dr. Chandler's
services. Mr. Pellicano further stated that Dr. Chandler said
he would ruin Michael Jackson if he didn't get what he wanted
and that he believed Dr. Chandler, directly or indirectly, found
a way to make his claims public in retaliation for Michael Jack-
son not meeting his demand.
Michael Jackson's attorneys filed extortion charges against
Dr. Chandler and Mr. Rothman. Dr. Chandler and Mr.
Rothman took the extortion charges seriously; each hired crimi-
nal defense attorneys. The extortion investigation made both
of them very nervous. The investigator called Mr. Rothman,
wanting to meet with him separately regarding the case. Mr.
Rothman tried to reach Dr. Chandler all day concerning the
meeting with the investigator. When Dr. Chandler finally called
to speak to Mr. Rothman, he took Dr. Chandler's call in the

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