Irvin says he was extortion target

By Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) - A Dallas man allegedly tried to extort $119,000 from troubled Dallas Cowboys star Michael Irvin, authorities said Thursday.

Irvin said the alleged extortion attempt is part of a pattern of abuse to which he has been subjected since his indictment on drug possession charges last month.

Teddy Wayne Solomon, 44, was arrested April 2 by undercover investigators who had arranged to make the payment demanded of Irvin and his attorney, Kevin Clancy. He has been charged with felony attempted theft.

Solomon was released the next day after posting $2,500 bail, said Norm Kinne, Dallas County assistant district attorney. He characterized Solomon as "an opportunist."
In an interview with Dallas station KLIF-AM Wednesday night, Irvin said extortionists threatened to blow up his lawyer's office unless he paid $119,000. The extortionists claimed the debts were for drugs, he said.

Clancy said he contacted district attorney officials after demands were faxed to his office.
An unidentified "street person" was sent to collect the cash, who implicated Solomon, Kinne said.
"We agreed to meet him," said Kinne, "and some fool showed up."

Detectives from the district attorney's office were waiting when the man showed up for the cash.
"We tell him we need to see his boss to get a receipt," Irvin said. "He goes and gets his boss and they come back to get the money. Well, of course, they arrest them right there because it's extortion."

The All-Pro receiver said the experience was part of a pattern of abuse.

"There have been all kind of blackmail attempts on me and my family," he said on station KLIF-AM.

Irvin was indicted last month with two women described by police as topless dancers on charges of drug possession.

Irvin said that his case has become "a media game" but added that "I'm not blaming anybody for my situation. ... I shouldn't have been in that room" - the Irving motel room where police found him March 4 with former Cowboy Alfredo Roberts, the two women, drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Only Angela Renee Beck, 22, was arrested at the time. She has since been indicted on drug charges along with the other woman, Jasmine Jennifer Nabwangu, 21, and Irvin, 30. Roberts, 31, has not been charged.

"I shouldn't have been in that situation," Irvin said. "God knows I wish it wouldn't have happened. I'm not blaming anybody. There's nobody I can blame but myself for that."

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