Jennifer Lopez’s $20M Blackmail Suit Against Former Driver Dismissed

Former "American Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez had alleged that her former chauffeur tried to extort $2.8 million from her by threatening to divulge damaging information

A judge has thrown out a $20 million lawsuit filed by Jennifer Lopez that alleged her former driver was trying to blackmail her out of $2.8 million. In a Dec. 21 ruling that came to light Wednesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Joseph Kalin dismissed the claim by the former "American Idol" judge.

Lopez had filed suit in August against her former chauffeur and head of security, Hakob Manoukian, saying that he tried to blackmail her by threatening to reveal damaging information he'd obtained about her during his time of employment with Lopez.

Also read: Jennifer Lopez Dumped From 'Idol' After Seeking Raise to $17M (Exclusive)

According to the suit, Manoukian worked for Lopez for about a month before quitting due to a dispute with her management team. Shortly thereafter, in Oct. 2011, he engaged in "blackmail, extortion, and related acts."

The suit is actually a counterclaim made against a complaint filed by Manoukian. In that suit he says that he was forced to resign from his position after he was denied "production pay" that he says was owed to him. He was then demoted to Lopez's Los Angeles driver when he complained about the lost pay and subjected to humiliating treatment by Lopez's manager, Benny Medina.

Also read: Jennifer Lopez Dumped From 'Idol' After Seeking Raise to $17M (Exclusive)

Lopez's suit claimed that, on Oct. 3, 2011, Manoukian's then-attorney "made written and oral demands that unless Manoukian was paid $2.8M, he would disclose sensitive and personal information that he had allegedly heard while driving Ms. Lopez."

Manoukian's original suit is still pending.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

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