Cindy Crawford And Husband: Targets Of Alleged Extortion Attempt

According to US District Court papers, supermodel Cindy Crawford, 43, and husband Rande Gerber have become victims of an alleged extortion attempt, reports ET Online.

Papers filed by the FBI reveal that an acquaintance of the couple’s former nanny has allegedly threatened to sell a photo of Cindy’s then 7-year-old daughter Kaia Jordan, bound, gagged and tied to a chair.

A rep for the couple released the following statement to ET:

A criminal complaint was filed today in federal court in Los Angeles by the U.S. Attorney's office and the FBI stating that Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford have been the victims of an on-going extortion scheme. This crime has been committed by Edis Kayalar, an acquaintance of a former nanny employed by the family. Mr. Kayalar threatened to sell an image taken of the couple's then-seven-year-old daughter. There was no previous awareness by Mr. Gerber and Ms. Crawford of the existence of the photograph when they were contacted by Mr. Kayalar. The photo was taken by the former nanny as part of a purported game without the knowledge of the parents. The couple reported the extortion threat to the police and the FBI began a criminal investigation in the matter. Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford intend to pursue any and all available legal action against anyone who aids the perpetrator in the distribution or sale of the photograph of their daughter.

Edis Kavalar apparently met the nanny in a bar and later stole the photo from her home.

Cindy and Rande have been married since 1998. They are also parents to 10-year-old Presley Walker.