VH1 News » Ep. 128

In our celebrity-obsessed culture, people will do anything to infiltrate the world of the Hollywood elite. But for some, getting inside that sacred circle isn't just about seeking autographs and snapshots of their favorite stars. They're searching for a shakedown. In <i>VH1 News Presents: Hollywood Blackmail</i>, VH1 News goes inside the shadow world of extortionists and con-men who prey on the rich and famous. And we show what celebs are doing to protect themselves from being victimized. How do potential blackmailers infiltrate the celebrity world? How can a trusted employee become a celebrity's worst nightmare? How does a sexual dalliance turn into the ultimate "dangerous liason"? Celebs ranging from <i>Girls Gone Wild</i> creator Joe Francis, celebutante Paris Hilton, singer Celine Dion &amp; husband Rene Angelil, and Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley have all been targeted by greedy predators looking to score a buck. Some stars are forced into courtrooms not by con men but by former employees or associates: Liza Minnelli &amp; LeeAnn Rimes are just two stars that were forced to take legal action when their former employees turned against them. Further issues covered through interviews include: how a celeb's lawyer defends them, how police officers bust extortionists in the act, why celebrities pay out on claims that have no truth to them, and what happens when an accuser just won't go away. We'll also examine the complex relationship between a blackmailer, the tabloids, private investigators and the celebrity, and how deals are made. We'll break it all down in the hush-hush world of celebrity blackmail.