Feds Thwart John Stamos Blackmail Plot

Actor told leaked photos could "cause harm" to reputation

Actor John Stamos was the target of a $680,000 blackmail plot but teamed up with the feds to bust his alleged extortionists, according to reports.

Stamos – best known as Uncle Jesse on the ‘90s sitcom “Full House” and now a Broadway star – had been told via email that his blackmailers had damaging photos of him from a 2004 party in Florida, according to an FBI affidavit obtained by thesmokinggun.com.

It is unclear what the photos depicted, but Stamos was allegedly warned his reputation could take a hit if they were sold to tabloids.

Shortly after Stamos learned of the plot, his lawyer contacted the FBI. An undercover agent posing as a Stamos’ rep then set up a sting operation that nailed Allison Coss, 23 and Scott Sippola, 30, at a Michigan airport last week, thesmokinggun reported.

A subsequent search of the house the couple shared turned up three photos of Stamos, a piece of paper with his cell phone number and contact information for three tabloid magazines, according to the affidavit.

Stamos, identified in court papers as “Mr. X,” had allegedly been in contact with Coss since he attended the 2004 party with her.

Last month, the "Bye, Bye Birdie" stage actor received several e-mails from a man who called himself “Brian L.”

Sippola, authorities allege, claimed to have “discovered” the party photos and demanded a ransom, according to the affidavit.

Stamos is one of a handful of celebrities targeted in extortion plots this year. David Letterman, Cindy Crawford and her husband, John Travolta and Sarah Jessica Parker and her husband Matthew Broderick have all claimed to be victims of blackmail schemes.
 

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