West Hollywood resident Vivek Shah pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to trying to extort $13 million from West Virginia coal magnate Chris Cline.
Shah, 25, an aspiring actor with minor roles in “The Dark Knight” and “our Family Wedding,” pleaded guilty to one count of transferring threatening communications in interstate commerce and seven counts of mailing or sending threatening communications through the mail.
Shan also targeted film producer Harvey Weinstein, Playtone film company owner Gary Goetzman, Relativity Media founder Ryan Kavanaugh, oil heiress Dannine Avara, Groupon co-founder Eric Lefkofsky and NHL Buffalo Sabres’ owner Terry Pegula.
U.S. District Judge Irene Berger, who had imposed a gag order and sealed all records, will decide whether an agreed upon 87-month prison sentence is fair.
