Celebrity Justice
Imagine -- Yoko Ono, Extortion Victim

Yoko OnoTMZ has learned that Yoko Ono's personal driver has been arrested in New York City for allegedly trying to extort the widow of John Lennon. Now, the driver is saying he's the victim.

Police sources tell TMZ Koral Karson allegedly told Yoko Ono that he had photos and tapes of her that were highly embarrassing and that for $2 million the tapes would never surface. Today, New York cops obtained a warrant and searched Karson's home. Karson was arrested and charged with attempted grand larceny in the first degree.

Karson made some fiery accusations of his own on his way out of the police station yesterday, telling reporters that the only reason Ono pressed charges was "to stop me from pursuing a sexual harassment case." Ono's publicist, Elliot Mintz, has denied the claim saying, "That is completely false. She's the victim here,"

Sources say Karson allegedly confronted Ono with his ultimatum this past weekend, the anniversary of John Lennon's death.

Mintz tells TMZ his client was "shocked by what happened and did what any citizen would do -- she went to the cops."

Karson is currently in custody and will be arraigned Thursday.



Tags: John Lennon, JohnLennon, Yoko Ono, YokoOno

Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 4) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. Nothing is shocking enough to make Ono feel any shame. Have you seen what she calls art, seen how she dresses and heard what she thinks is normal and fair? Boy that driver was a loser to think he could get cash for any bad publicity about her, or to threaten exposure as she lives for making shocked controversy news.. haha

Posted at 1:53AM on Dec 14th 2006 by JTD

17. I cant believe ALL you. You talk sooo much and soo bad about her, you'd think you knew her on a personal level. You ALL feel sooo safe behind your little keyboards typing up how ugly she is, I wonder what you look like? if you listen to Johns songs from his solo days, you can see that it was infact Yoko who opened up the real John. Go listen to your Nick Lachey/ Justin Tinkerbells cd and quit sippin on the haterade.

Posted at 2:21AM on Dec 14th 2006 by Jil

18. Ok if your going to demand 2mil in blackmail, money why in the world would you leave the tapes in your home ?

I wonder what who she was talking about ?

Posted at 3:41AM on Dec 14th 2006 by sourapples

19. We love you Yoko!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 3:54PM on Dec 14th 2006 by Amalia

20. People hate themsleves, so they take it out on Yoko. Sad, really.

The woman had ten times the money John Lennon ever made, still they say she was after his money.
She is an independent thinker, and that still frightens many women and all men.

Posted at 8:38AM on Dec 14th 2006 by brian Miller

21. This creature is STILL the UGLIEST witch on the planet.

Posted at 9:02AM on Dec 14th 2006 by The Twins

22. >>Miapocca

What is your major obsession with Angelina doing here? Get over it dear, my God you can't write one post without mentioning one of them. It doesn't matter what the subject is. Too funny and a little weird. Obsessive behavior is a sign you know…...

Posted at 9:06AM on Dec 14th 2006 by tootsnort

23. He claims she sexually harrassed him. I believe there may be some truth to that. The problem the poor man faces is that it is David against Goliath. She has tremendous money, power and influence.

I hope he is cleared of the charges and gets to release any tapes and photos.

The NY Post reports that he has tapes of comments that Yoko and Sean have made which might be embarrassing. This allegedly includes comments by Sean where he says nasty things about John. Since he was just 5 when John died, I wonder who put those nasty ideas in Sean's head?

Hmmmmmmmmmm?

I hope the real truth comes out one day . . . not the Yoko version.

Posted at 5:29AM on Dec 15th 2006 by GGG

24. She is beautiful and brilliant. And she is forever bonded by the love she shared with one of the most cerebral humanitarians of our time. Much of my idealism died along with John. The disintegration of world relations is illustrated here by the people(?) who have nothing constructive to contribute but only skim an article to bash. The ugliness here is heartbreaking. How can we hope for a better world when people can't even be decent and civil and kind in a simple forum?
"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one. I hope some day you will join us and the world will live as one".

Posted at 9:52AM on Dec 14th 2006 by patti

25. Good for Britney that finally someone has gotten through to her.

Posted at 9:21AM on Dec 14th 2006 by Bobbie

26. He blackmailed the wrong party. He should have taken recordings of her music, and threaten to release them if the general public did not come up with 2 million dollars.

Posted at 10:50AM on Dec 14th 2006 by nick

27. What is wrong with you people?!? Nobody deserves to be treated and talked about that way. How do you think John Lennon would feel about you saying this horrible stuff about his wife? Put your photo up and let's judge you. Cowards. You oughtta be ashamed of yourselves. You obviously are John Lennon fans to click on this article. You know his message of peace and tolerance yet you spew this hatred from your little corner desk in your dimly lit little space and act like you are one of the "beautiful people". You are not.
Good for Yoko - This guy is the scumbag. Not Yoko. To extort money from her on the day of John's death is putrid.
Grow up!! All of you.

Posted at 1:43PM on Dec 30th 2006 by Rob Creighton

28. Running for Congress Patti???? Get real. Better go crawl back under the rock you emerged from to insert your idealistic unrealistic garbage.

Posted at 9:59AM on Dec 14th 2006 by morbidcuriosity

29. Please Patti, your post could be dangerous to those of us who are diabetic, or on a diet, or have a little sense. Too much sugar in your tone. Too much trippin.

Posted at 10:28AM on Dec 14th 2006 by twinkie

30. Can that bitch just die already? She ruined the Beatles now she won't go away...

Posted at 10:49AM on Dec 14th 2006 by DiRTyBuNNy

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