Jorg Halaby is a Costa Mesa, California man and a former boyfriend of Erin Brockovich who was arrested in April 2000 as part of a sting operation that accused him, Brockovich’s ex-husband Shawn Brown, and attorney John Reiner of trying to extort $310,000 from Brockovich and her boss, Ed Masry. Prosecutors dropped all charges against Halaby later that year. Only Reiner was convicted.
Who Halaby Is and How He Knew Brockovich
Halaby was 46 at the time of his arrest and had been romantically involved with Brockovich before the events depicted in the 2000 Universal Pictures film that made her famous. One report described his on-screen character as a “long-suffering biker-baby sitter,” and Universal paid him for the rights to portray him.1Los Angeles Times. 2 of Brockovich’s Ex-Beaus Arrested in Extortion Sting2The Guardian. Brockovich’s Ex-Lover Charged Over Threat to Reveal Affair Brockovich herself said he had been “portrayed well” in the movie.3San Francisco Chronicle. Alleged Plan to Blackmail Brockovich
The relationship ended badly. Brockovich said she was “simply not in love with him” and that Halaby was “angry at the way their relationship ended.”4CT Insider. Alleged Plan to Blackmail Brockovich
What the Alleged Extortion Scheme Involved
Prosecutors said Halaby and Brown, working through Reiner, threatened to sell two stories to tabloid media, including Inside Edition: that Brockovich was a neglectful mother, and that she was having a sexual affair with Masry. Brockovich and Masry both denied the affair.5Los Angeles Times. Brockovich Extortion Trial
Reiner first contacted Masry on April 11, 2000, seeking $200,000 on Brown’s behalf. After Halaby was added as a client, the demand climbed to $280,000 and then to roughly $310,000.1Los Angeles Times. 2 of Brockovich’s Ex-Beaus Arrested in Extortion Sting On April 17, Reiner faxed a written proposal offering that his clients would refrain from disparaging Brockovich in exchange for payment.
Brown’s motive, according to prosecutors, was financial resentment. He had received no money from Universal and felt the film depicted him as a “deadbeat dad.”6Los Angeles Times. Brockovich Extortion Case Hearing
The Sting and Arrest
Rather than pay, Brockovich and Masry went to authorities. Cathleen Drury, the Thousand Oaks attorney representing Brockovich in a child custody dispute with Brown, reported a “possible extortion plot” to the Ventura County District Attorney’s office.6Los Angeles Times. Brockovich Extortion Case Hearing The DA and the FBI ran a two-week investigation that included recorded phone calls between Reiner and Masry.
On April 26, 2000, Halaby, Brown, and Reiner arrived at Drury’s Thousand Oaks office for a meeting with Brockovich, Masry, and Drury. A hidden camera captured the three men signing a “silence agreement.” Masry then handed Reiner two checks: $30,000 designated for Halaby and $280,000 for Brown.1Los Angeles Times. 2 of Brockovich’s Ex-Beaus Arrested in Extortion Sting Investigators arrested all three as they left.2The Guardian. Brockovich’s Ex-Lover Charged Over Threat to Reveal Affair
Each man was booked into Ventura County Jail on $50,000 bail and charged with two felonies: conspiracy to commit extortion and attempted extortion.7Los Angeles Times. Brockovich Extortion Defendants Arraigned All three pleaded not guilty.
Why the Charges Against Halaby Were Dropped
On October 3, 2000, prosecutors dismissed all charges against Halaby and Brown. Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Frawley declined to explain the decision, saying only that charges could potentially be refiled.8Chicago Tribune. Extortion Charges Dropped in Erin Brockovich Case Frawley confirmed there was no deal requiring the two to testify against Reiner.9Los Angeles Times. Charges Dropped Against Two in Brockovich Extortion Case
Masry publicly supported the decision, noting that Brockovich “didn’t relish the thought of testifying against the father of her children.”10Los Angeles Times. Extortion Charges Dropped in Brockovich Case
Reiner alone stood trial. On April 2, 2001, a Ventura County jury convicted him of two counts of attempted extortion and one count of conspiracy, finding him guilty on 14 of 15 charged acts.11Los Angeles Times. Lawyer Convicted in Brockovich Extortion Case Judge Vincent J. O’Neill Jr. sentenced him on May 18, 2001, to four months in jail, probation, a $10,000 fine, and community service.12Los Angeles Times. Brockovich Extortion Lawyer Sentenced
Halaby’s Malpractice Suit Against Reiner
In April 2001, shortly after Reiner’s conviction, Halaby sued him and his law firm for legal malpractice in Los Angeles County Superior Court (Jorg Halaby v. John J. Reiner et al., Case No. SC066126). The case went to mediation, settled in May 2002, and was dismissed with prejudice on June 6, 2002. The settlement terms were not publicly disclosed.1Los Angeles Times. 2 of Brockovich’s Ex-Beaus Arrested in Extortion Sting
After that settlement, Halaby dropped out of public view. No further legal proceedings or public statements involving him appear in the record.