John Travolta extortion case dropped

London (ANI): John Travolta has decided not to pursue an extortion case again two men accused of trying to blackmail him for 25m dollars (16m pounds) following the death of the actor's son.

The case was dismissed after a motion was submitted at the request of the Pulp Fiction star and his family.

Pleasant Bridgewater and Tarino Lightbourne were accused of trying to extort money from the actor following his son's death last year.

Jett Travolta, 16, died in the Bahamas in January 2009 following a seizure.

However, prosecutor Neil Braithwaite said the Travoltas wished  "to put this whole thing behind them".

"The Travolta family has said that this matter has caused them unbelievable stress and pain," the BBC quoted Braithwaite as saying.

Lightbourne - a paramedic - and his attorney Bridgewater were accused of threatening to release private information about Jett Travolta's death at the family vacation home in Grand Bahama.

It was alleged that Lightbourne threatened to sell stories suggesting Travolta was at fault over Jett's death.

Bridgewater, a former member of the Bahamian Senate, was accused of trying to negotiate a 25m dollars (16m pounds) payout for Mr Lightbourne.

According to a source, John Travolta said "the long-pending status of this matter" had taken "a heavy emotional toll" on his family.

"After much reflection, I concluded it was in my family's best interest for me not to voluntarily return to the Bahamas to testify a second time at trial."

Both Bridgewater and Lightbourne denied the original charges.