Fortress Co-Founder Allegedly Targeted in $1B Extortion Plot

A nightmare for Fortress Investment Group co-founder Wesley Edens became public this week, detailing an alleged shakedown to the tune of over $1 billion.

Edens, a billionaire who co-owns the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, was allegedly targeted by a woman with whom he began a romantic relationship online, according to prosecutors. Edens wasn’t publicly named, but his identity in legal documents was confirmed by the Wall Street Journal.

Edens’ problems allegedly began in 2022 when he responded to a LinkedIn message from fellow divorcee Sophia Luo. They had several meet-ups before ultimately having sex in June 2023, according to prosecutors, after which she sent Edens a love letter.

But later in the year, Luo allegedly threatened to publicize videos and photos of their rendezvous, even reaching out to family members and claiming she would approach investors, all in an alleged effort to ruin Edens. She found Edens’ girlfriend at a doctor’s office and allegedly told her about the tryst. She also allegedly contacted Edens’ ex-wife.

Luo, according to prosecutors, offered up a mediator to resolve their differences, a process Edens participated in to avoid embarrassment. They agreed to a $6.5 million settlement, only for Luo to allegedly discover she had a sexually transmitted infection, causing her to go back to the table and ask for more than $1.2 billion.

An investigation began early last year after a lawyer for Edens approached the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office. Luo was arrested last June while trying to board a flight to China. A search of her apartment uncovered a phone with pornographic images of Edens’ face on a different person’s body.

Luo was indicted by prosecutors last year, charged with four counts, including blackmail and destruction of records. She pleaded not guilty and was released to home confinement on $500,000 bond.

A spokesperson for the businessman said he would not comment on the case, but planned to testify at trial later this year.

Luo’s attorneys argued the case should be dismissed, saying she was seeking compensation for “an inappropriate and aggressive sexual encounter.” In a letter Luo sent during the period of alleged threats, she claimed she was mentally incapacitated during their encounter.

— Holden Walter-Warner