E! Online:
Cindy Crawford's the only one who takes photos for money in this bunch.
The supermodel and husband Rande Gerber were targeted by a would-be extortionist who had in his possession a "sexy" photo of the couple's then 7-year-old daughter and wanted to make a deal so the pic "wouldn't end up in the tabloids," according to a federal criminal complaint filed Tuesday.
The couple told investigators that Edis "Eddie" Kayalar, who has since been deported back to his home country of Germany, called them in July, claiming to be a "good person" who just wanted to help them out.
According to the complaint, Kayalar told them that the photo, in which their young daughter was gagged, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, and tied to a chair, "just wasn't right" and he was "bothered" by it.
Presumably pretty horrified, Gerber and Crawford say that they had no idea such a photograph, which the family's former nanny has admitted to taking "as a prank," even existed.
"A criminal complaint was filed today in federal court in Los Angeles by the U.S. Attorney's office and the FBI, stating that Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford have been the victims of an ongoing extortion scheme," a rep for the couple said in a statement Thursday.
"There was no previous awareness by Mr. Gerber and Ms. Crawford of the existence of the photograph when they were contacted by Mr. Kayalar. The photo was taken by the former nanny as part of a purported game, without the knowledge of the parents. The couple reported the extortion threat to the police and the FBI began a criminal investigation in the matter.
"Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford intend to pursue any and all available legal action against anyone who aids the perpetrator in the distribution or sale of the photograph of their daughter."
Per the complaint, Kayalar swiped the alarming-sounding pic from the nanny's apartment after meeting her at a bar. He also apparently got Crawford's cell phone number from there as well, while the nanny was asleep.
Kayalar also said he removed a handwritten note from the apartment that read, "The babysitter went crazy & tied everyone up & they need your help! Please."
Some game.
Kayalar arranged a meeting with Gerber at a bar in Venice, Calif., where he showed the father of two a copy of the picture on his cell phone, saying he had left the original with friends for safekeeping.
Kayalar "hinted that he was 'broke' and would like a monetary reward for returning the photograph," Special Agent Kelly L. Decker wrote.
Kayalar then agreed to meet with Gerber and a deputy sheriff to confront the nanny. When they were all face-to-face, the nanny, who had been fired a week before Kayalar ever got in touch with the family, admitted to taking the picture "as a prank."
Soon after, Gerber told authorities that he had a hard copy of the photo in his possession and had given Kayalar $1,000 in return, but two days later, Kayalar called him back and demanded more money, telling him the tabloids would have paid $500,000.
The LAPD's Major Crimes Bureau was alerted, after which they contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Deportation proceedings against Kayalar kicked off in September.
In a phone call to Gerber from Germany on Nov. 1, Kayalar demanded $100,000 and threatened to give the photo to the media otherwise, the complaint states.
Blaming Gerber and Crawford for his deportation and financial struggles, Kayalar told Gerber that he knew he had committed a "f--ked-up crime" but that he felt he deserved the money.
Actually, he preferred 100,000 euros, because the American dollar was not worth "s--t" in Europe.
FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller tells E! News that there is a warrant out for Kayalar's arrest. The nanny, who has not been identified, is not facing any charges at this point.
As for Crawford and Gerber, "they are the victims in this case," Eimiller said.
Unfortunately, it's not the first time pictures of Cindy's daughter have been the cause of misunderstandings. Way to try and mess up an innocent albeit freakishly beautiful YOUNG GIRL WHO WON'T HIT PUBERTY FOR SEVERAL YEARS, people. I would hate to be in Cindy's or Rande's shoes now.
One positive aspect: TMZ did something laudable for once and refused to run the picture, and indeed it doesn't seem to be online anywhere. Nice to see some people have limits.
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