Bruce Willis sues childhood friend for extortion

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2006

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — US tough guy actor Bruce Willis is suing a childhood friend hired to organize personal photographs for extortion and violation of privacy, court documents show.

The civil lawsuit, filed by the star's attorneys Tuesday in a Los Angeles court, claim that that Bruce DiMattia -- described in the suit as a "childhood friend" and former employee -- is threatening to publish Willis' private pictures and has been hawking a book manuscript "containing lies" about the actor.

"Overcome by greed and jealous of his former friend's success, DiMattia has threatened to unlawfully exploit private family photographs and memorabilia belonging to Mr. Willis," the lawsuit alleges.

DiMattia wants Willis "to pay him over 100,000 dollars and buy him a car, among...