Entertainment News3 min(s) read
The man accused of blackmailing Carrot Top with his sex tape has spoken out following the comedian's alleged suicide attempt.
Brian Evans has issued a statement after attorneys for the 61-year-old comic, whose real name is Scott Thompson, alleged in a September 3 court filing that he demanded $500,000 and threatened to place the recording into a public court docket if no settlement was reached.
Evans has now claimed the video had already been deleted under an earlier settlement.
"I never threatened - ever - to post any video anywhere in exchange for a settlement," he said, per Complex. "The video they are discussing - as I made very clear - was deleted a long time ago in accordance with the prior settlement."
According to the earlier filing, Thompson’s attorney Ronnie Bitman claimed Evans had threatened to make the alleged tape publicly accessible through a court filing.
"Evans demands immediate payment of significant sums and states that, absent immediate payment, a sexually explicit recording of Thompson will be filed in the public court file so that it may be obtained and disseminated by the press and other parties," Bitman wrote, cited by Page Six.
The document also included an email from Evans in which he requested $500,000 "in immediately available funds, in exchange for resolution of all claims against" Thompson.
In the same email, Evans denied that he was making a threat.
"It is not a threat. I am not offering to create coverage, stop coverage, or trade silence for money. I cannot control what outlets write after a public motion is filed. The only thing that stops coverage is if we both stop filing anything," he said.
"I am telling you … that I would rather resolve the claims against your client [Thompson] than continue this motion practice," Evans added.
He also warned that if his deadline was not met, "it is not an offer your client will ever see again - not even remotely close".
Evans also rejected any suggestion that he was responsible for the comedian's recent hospitalization.
He said he was "sorry that Scott apparently did something to hurt himself" and added: "I do not consider Scott to be a bad person ... based on what I know - but he made a few decisions that were not good ones... That is not a reason to hurt himself.
"Finally, it's not my fault … that Scott did what he did. We don't even actually know what he did," he said. "He survived and I am glad about that. Scott is still young and has a big life ahead of him. It's not my intent to bring this guy down. It's the opposite."
Thompson was rushed to the hospital after an incident at his Las Vegas home on Friday. Multiple police vehicles were reportedly seen outside the property.
His representative confirmed that he was receiving treatment but did not address the circumstances surrounding his hospitalization.
Schlicher said he was "recovering in the hospital and is receiving the care and support he needs".
"His family and those closest to him are deeply grateful for the concern, prayers, and respectfully ask for privacy," she added.
Thompson’s scheduled performances at the Luxor Hotel and Casino were canceled.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
