[lostnfound117]

Originally posted by Carmel_AKA
found on another messageboard...

This story made Fox Sports...
Agent: Yankees slugger target of extortion plot
Mike Robinson / Associated Press
Posted: 1 hour ago


read on NBC5.com that this happened 10 years ago.

CHICAGO (AP) - New York Yankees star Gary Sheffield and his wife were the targets of a blackmailer who claimed to have embarrassing sexual videotapes of her and a musician, the slugger's business agent said Tuesday.
Business agent Rufus Williams read a statement from Sheffield in which the Yankees outfielder said his wife, DeLeon, had a long relationship with a professional musician over a decade ago. Sheffield said he had known about the relationship, which came before the couple married.


Gary Sheffield's wife DeLeon had a long relationship with a professional musician over a decade ago. (Mark Mainz / GettyImages)

"I have not seen the alleged videotape, nor do I care to," Sheffield said in the statement. "I love my wife and I vow again to stand by her through any trial or tribulation."

Sheffield said he hoped "the FBI and the federal authorities will prosecute this man to the full extent of the law."

"We will not be blackmailed," he said in the statement.

Derrick Mosley, 38, a Chicago man who describes himself as a minister and has fashioned himself as a community activist, was charged Monday with operating a scheme to defraud for allegedly attempting to extort money from a professional athlete, who was not named.

Mosley was in custody Tuesday pending a Thursday bond hearing. His attorney, Luis Galvan, had no immediate comment after his arrest.

Williams described Tuesday how he had been contacted earlier this month by Mosley about a videotape purported to show Sheffield's wife. He said he called the FBI immediately.

"My client is very comfortable with the position he is in, and his wife is very comfortable with the position she is in," Williams said. "They have a very strong bond."

Neither Williams nor the FBI affidavit accompanying charges against Mosley identified the musician.

Sheffield said in his statement that he was out of the country, would not be available for comment and would never discuss it publicly.

The FBI affidavit did not name Sheffield, referring only to a professional athlete and his wife, and did not say whether the videotapes actually existed or whether Mosley's alleged remarks might have been part of a bluff.

According to that affidavit, Mosley first contacted Williams on Nov. 3, and Williams secretly taped several conversations with him over the next week.

In the first conversation, "Mosley stated that he was very upset and concerned about the tapes," the affidavit says. "Mosley further stated that he wished to speak to Individual A about reform and her moral standing."

Mosley later suggested he be hired for $20,000 to serve as a counselor for the athlete's wife and said he would destroy the tapes, according to the affidavit. At one point he told Williams "someone else would have called the tabloids and could have made millions," according to the affidavit.

Finally, on Nov. 11, Mosley called Williams and said he wanted $20,000 immediately and provided Williams with a bank account number and said the money should be sent by wire, according to the affidavit. Mosley was arrested four days later.

Mosley is known in the Chicago area for stepping in as a spokesman for families hit by tragedies and speaking as a community activist after the E2 nightclub stampede last year. He was charged with bank fraud in 1999, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year and placed on probation for five years.

Here is her bio:

It seems like yesterday when 3-year-old Deleon Richards was known as The Young Gospel Sensation. Over two decades later, Deleon is a seasoned veteran with many recordings to her credit.

Deleon, the youngest artist ever signed to a major Gospel label, has been singing professionally for almost a lifetime. Recording, writing and co-producing with some of the best in the music industry, Jeffrey "J Dub" Walker of Dub's World Production, Jerry Peters, Brian McKnight, Tim Minor, Percy Bady, Tonex, Warren Campbell, Raymond Tisdale w/Tisway Productions and Fred Hammond, all having a great influence in her musical career.

Born September 18, 1976 in the suburbs of Chicago, Deleon started singing at the age of 5 before 20,000 people at a Chicago Gospel Festival. She has performed for numerous political and religious figures, including President Ronald Reagan. At age 9, she became the youngest person ever to be nominated for a Grammy: the previous record holder was Michael Jackson.

DeLeon contributes her estounding growth to a loving and dedicated mother, Deborah "Debbie" Richards, a singer in her own right, and one that loves the Lord. She impressed upon DeLeon to always keep God first and there would be no end to the heights she could achieve.

In the early 1980's Deleon was the youngest Gospel artist ever signed with a major recording company. She toured for the first time at age five, opening in Japan for the Mighty Clouds, which sparked the beginning of her musical travel throughout the U.S., Germany, Europe, Asia, West Indies, etc., as well as regular concert performances for the military and USO.

1986 was the beginning of the exciting film and television career, making numerous appearances on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, 700 Club, NBC, CBS, ABC, WGN and a variety of cable networks. In the early 1990's she landed a regular role on ABC's television drama Brewster Place starring Oprah Winfrey.

Deleon was awarded one of the Most Outstanding Role Models in America by one of the most prominent Men's organizations in America. She has been featured in almost every national magazine including People, Sports Illustrated, In Style, Ebony, Billboard, USA Today and many more. She won the GMWA Award for Excellence and was nominated for a Stellar Award, just to name a few.

With over 2 decades of performing experience in this seasoned artist' repertoire, Deleon has also shared the stage with the likes of Pattil LaBelle, Shirley Ceasar, Lou Rawles, The Winans, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Sandi Patti, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, Al Green Joni Erickson, Tada, and many others.

Deleon writes much of her own music and is President of her own company, DeMari Publishing and Entertainment, Inc. She also supports the Gary Sheffield Foundation, founded by her husband; New York Yankee Outfielder, Gary Sheffield. This organization is dedicated to rebuilding the spirit of our youth; exactly what Deleon's ministry is all about. Deleon says while her accomplishments have been great, there is nothing greater than her relationship with Jesus Christ. No amateur to holding large audiences captive with her voice, Deleon sang the National Anthem at game 5 of the New York Knicks/Toronto Raptors Playoff Game held at Madison Square Garden. Most recently, she performed flawlessly at RFK Stadium to a crowd of 80,000 people at the Bobby Jones Gospel Fest.

Deleon's music is destined to bridge generation gaps with a sound that appeals to true gospel fans as well as reaching the younger and more contemporary listeners. She will be breaking new ground with on of the greatest and most versatile recordings ever in Gospel music today. Those who listen will be blessed beyond imagination.

DeLeon claimed to be a virgin when she got married.....
A local Atlanta magazine spotlighted the couple back in 2001. They talked about how they met and how he courted her and how he was impressed that she was a virgin until theri honeymoon nite...