Ex-Baseball Player Ron Belliard Named as Target in Extortion Case

Former Cardinals second baseman Ronnie Belliard is the professional athlete at the center of a federal extortion case.

Federal authorities in St. Louis say George Edwards tried to get an athlete to pay $150,000 to keep quiet about a sexual liaison last fall with Edwards' daughter, Laura L. Edwards, which allegedly resulted in a pregnancy.

The Bronx-born Belliard, 31, is married and has two children, according to the baseball website MLB.com.

Belliard could not be reached. However his agent, Dominic Torres, confirmed has confirmed to Associated Press that Belliard was the player at the center of the extortion case and provided this statement:

"The events as they are told are completely unfounded. I have been working with the FBI from the onset in an attempt to apprehend this known extortionist and his daughter. In the end, my client will be vindicated and due to the continuing legal nature of this case, I have no further comments at this time."

Milo Edwards insisted that the first offer of money came from Belliard, after learning she was pregnant. Milo Edwards said Belliard was trying "to save his butt because he's a married man."

At some point, Milo Edwards said, Laura Edwards told Belliard's people to talk to her father.

Milo Edwards also said that he has not spoken to his brother since the arrest and doesn't know much of what happened between his brother and Belliard's people.

An affidavit by FBI Special Agent Dustin Sorrells lays out the extortion plot this way:

Laura Edwards and the athlete had an "encounter" on Sept. 29 and she left messages for him in late October or early November. He had a friend call back. That friend's message was returned by George Edwards, who met with the friend and said his daughter was pregnant and wanted money.

The friend offered several thousand dollars. Later in November, a sports agent worked out a deal to pay $25,000 for a paternity test, and $125,000 more if the child was the athlete's.

George Edwards and a different sports agent met Jan. 5 at a hotel near Lambert Field, where the agent gave George Edwards $25,000 cash.

George Edwards called the second agent Jan. 10 with word of a miscarriage. He allegedly said he would not go to the press or file a legal claim, in exchange for the additional $125,000.

Investigators recorded several of the phone calls. On Jan. 11, the second agent called George Edwards and agreed to pay the $125,000 if Laura Edwards signed an affidavit promising to never disclose the relationship. George Edwards agreed not to notify the media directly or through his lawyer.

On Jan. 16, the agent called George Edwards again, demanding Laura Edwards' presence at a meeting the next day to exchange the $125,000. Recordings and videotapes were supposed to be turned over as well.

George Edwards balked, and the meeting was never held.

Belliard was acquired by the Cardinals in a trade with the Cleveland Indians on July 30 and played a key role in the team's playoff run.

In the National League Division Series against San Diego, Belliard had six hits in 13 at-bats. Belliard remains a free agent and has received little attention this offseason.