Man linked to Smurfs admits $11M NYC shakedown bid

[August 13, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- A businessman who once played a role in the Smurfs cartoon empire has told a New York court he threatened to destroy his son-in-law's stature in high finance as part of a $11 million shakedown plot.

Stuart R. Ross pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted grand larceny. He acknowledged demanding $5.5 million to stop threatening to ruin son-in-law David Blitzer's career as a managing director of The Blackstone Group, an asset management and financial services company.

The 73-year-old Ross also admitted saying he'd give up any rights to see his grandchildren for another $5.5 million.

Ross is expected to get probation. His sentencing is set for Oct. 5.

Court papers filed by Blitzer and Ross say Ross owned certain rights to the Smurfs years ago.

[Associated Press]

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