A woman who falsely claimed she was raped and tortured by a wealthy sheik’s son was hit with criminal charges Monday for trying to extort $20 million from the Saudi father in exchange for dropping the case.
German national Leyla Ors, 33, lied to Los Angeles cops in March about being sexually assaulted by Thamer Albalwi, the son of one of the richest sheiks in Saudi Arabia, Sheik Monsur Albalwi, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
“Ors was interviewed by the prosecutor and accused Thamer Albalwi of rape, forcible oral copulation, torture and criminal threats,” the criminal complaint said.
She told police she had pictures of her injuries, as well as incriminating text messages from Thamer Albalwi on her cell, but refused to hand over the phone, saying her attorney Joseph Cavallo told her not to, according to the complaint.
Ors, who was Albalwi’s personal assistant, also accused the rich kid of burning her with a cigarette and keeping her hostage in his apartment, the LA Times reported.
The 23-year-old was eventually charged with four counts of sexual assault based on Ors’ allegations, a physical exam and visible injuries, the DA’s office said.
But in June, Ors’ other lawyer Emanuel Hudson, 58, called Sheik Albalwi, telling him if he paid $15 million “in an account outside of America, ‘Leyla would not testify … case would be over,’” the complaint said.
The same day, Cavallo, 58, called the sheik back, upping the price to $20 million and demanding that the cash be placed in a Swiss account.
The sexual assault charges against Thamer Albalwi were dismissed last week when investigators determined Ors’ allegations were bogus. He had been out on $3 million bail.
Ors and her attorneys were arrested Thursday on charges of attempted extortion, conspiracy to commit extortion, conspiracy to receive a bribe and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
She was also charged with offering to receive a bribe by a witness.
Ors, who remains in custody, was to be arraigned in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Prosecutors are expected to ask for $35,000 bail, according to the DA’s office.
Cavallo and Hudson will be arraigned Tuesday and July 31, respectively. Both men are out on bail.
Ors and the two lawyers each face up to four years in jail, if convicted.