Woman, lawyers accused of trying to extort Saudi sheik's son

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A woman who reported that she was raped by a Saudi sheik's son has been charged with conspiracy to extort money from one of the wealthiest men in Saudi Arabia. The woman's attorneys have also been charged in the scheme.

Leyla Ors, 33, told police in March that she had been raped and tortured by Thamer Albalwi, the 23-year-old son of Sheikh Monsur Albalwi. Based on a physical examination and visible injuries, Thamer Albalwi was charged with four counts of sexual assault on March 13.

But investigators learned that Ors' attorney, Emanuel Karl Hudson, called Thamer Albalwi's father in June and told him Ors would not testify and "the case would be over" if he paid $15 million. On the same day, Ors' second attorney, Joseph Gerard Cavallo, also spoke on the phone with the sheik, telling him the demand was now $20 million and that Hudson would set up an account in Switzerland to receive the funds.

All three were arrested on Thursday and charged with attempted extortion, conspiracy to commit extortion, conspiracy to receive a bribe and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Ors, a German national, was also charged with one count of offering to receive a bribe by a witness.

Ors remains in custody and was scheduled to be arraigned Monday, but her arraignment was postponed until Tuesday. Ors, a German national, asked for an interpreter to be present for her arraignment.

Both attorneys have been released on bail. Cavallo's arraignment is expected Tuesday, and Hudson is due in court for arraignment on July 31.

If convicted, they each face up to four years in prison.

The sexual assault case against Thamer Albalwi was dismissed on Friday based on the evidence revealed in the ongoing investigation, prosecutors said.