Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber have falling victims to an extortion plot. This situation centers on the couples’ 8 year old daughter, Kaia, and a photo taken of the girl when she was seven. The photo shows Kaia “bound to a chair and gagged” in revealing clothing. TMZ reports that this was apparently a part of a “cops and robbers game” that the nanny would play with the children. (Crawford and Gerber state they have had no idea about this “game.”) The photo was then stolen from a former nanny by an acquaintance named Edis Kayalar. Kayalar threatened to sell the photo unless he received money. A rep for the couple released this statement to Usmagazine:
“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 on-going extortion scheme. This crime has been committed by Edis Kayalar, an acquaintance of a former nanny employed by the family. Mr. Kayalar threatened to sell an image taken of the couple’s then-seven-year-old daughter. 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.”
Photo Credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic