The Old School saying goes, ‘Blood is thicker than water,’ but in the case of Stevie Wonder and his so-called cousin, that dynamic motto actually works in the opposite direction. Blood ain’t always ‘thicker than water’…especially when money’s involved. This is a lesson learned a few years ago when he was faced with an extortion plot that threatened to “embarrass” him and his kids.
In 2012, Alpha L. Walker, who was reported by Billboard as Stevie Wonder’s ‘cousin,’ as well as Alpha’s girlfriend, Tamara E. Diaz, ended up serving jail time, after being busted in a sting operation that brought down their reported extortion attempt.
The Vindictive Video Footage Against Stevie
According to Billboard, Alpha L. Walker told Stevie’s attorney that they were about to ‘sell a film ranting against the singer’s treatment of his family for millions of dollars.’ The film painted Stevie as a heartless family member, who cares nothing about how his family is living:
A police detective described the film as an 80-minute rant against Wonder. Portions of it were filmed in the former home of the singer’s late mother, which is now dilapidated, and it also shows Wonder’s son, who the musician is protective of. Walker, 38, accused the musician of being “a slumlord” and made derogatory comments about the singer’s mother, two witnesses said. …
“It was a continuous rant about the injustices that had been done to him – in his opinion – by Mr. Morris and that Mr. Morris was the cause of him having all of these issues in his life,” Los Angeles Police Detective Tracey Benjamin testified.
But The Story Gets Worse…
More Claims Involving Stevie’s Son
The film also made claims about Stevie’s son, who reportedly has learning disabilities. Additionally, Alpha’s video footage showed Stevie’s late Mother’s now dilapidated home. To add insult to injury, the film also made claims that Stevie, “possibly engaged in an incestuous relationship,” according to Stevie’s attorney.
Stevie Wonder’s Reaction To The Claims
Stevie was deeply hurt by the accusations being made in the extortion plot and film, according to Detective Benjamin:
Benjamin, who interviewed Wonder for the case, said the singer was hurt by Walker’s accusations and said they were untrue. She said Wonder stated that paying his cousin money would be the only way to keep it from being sold to a news outlet and embarrassing him and his family.
“He explained that when something like this is released to the media, it is presumed to be true,” Benjamin said.
Stevie’s attorney, William Briggs II also state that although Stevie watched most of the film at that time, he could not go any further, once footage of his son- who has mental disabilities- was shown.
Peep How Stevie’s ‘Cousin’ Was Caught>>>
The Extortion Plot & Bust
According to reports, Stevie’s cousin initially told Stevie’s team that he wanted $5 million for the video footage, but after Briggs informed Alpha that Stevie was pissed over the demand and the allegations, Alpha settled for a cool $500K.
Unbeknownst to Alpha Walker and his girlfriend, Tamara Diaz, they were about to be busted during the meet-up to get the money from Stevie’s attorney, Briggs:
Via Billboard– Walker repeatedly told Briggs that he wasn’t intending to extort Wonder and asked for the lawyer’s assurances that he wasn’t committing a crime. The attorney said a confidentiality agreement he drafted included language that the pair should seek legal advice.
With more than two dozen officers monitoring the hamburger restaurant where the group held their final meeting, Walker and Diaz signed their initials on the agreement and were quickly arrested.
Alpha L. Walker and Tamera Diaz were arrested on May 12, 2012, and later sentenced to 292 days in jail, after pleading no contest to the extortion plot. Additionally, they both received probation, during which Alpha was required to attend bi-weekly mental health counseling; while Tamera had to complete 78 Narcotics Anonymous classes. They were also ordered to stay the hell away from Stevie, his family, and co-workers at that time.
Like we said…blood ain’t always thicker than water.
