Jennifer Lopez files $20M extortion suit against former driver, alleging blackmail threat

Singer Jennifer Lopez has filed a $20 million lawsuit against her former driver whom she says threatened her with blackmail.   Lopez, 42, is suing Hakob Manoukian for extortion and defamation, claiming he vowed to leak “disruptive and potentially damaging” information he overheard unless she forked over $2.8 million, E! News reports.   The former “American Idol” judge says Manoukian, who had worked for the star since 2005, had signed a confidentially agreement that forbade him from releasing any information about her or her family.   Lopez’ suit is countering a breach of employment complaint filed by Manoukian in April. The chauffeur alleged that Lopez didn’t pay him the full salary they had agreed upon — $72,000 plus “production pay” that was expected to bump his actual pay to $200,000.   He also filed suit against Lopez’ manager, Benny Medina, and her ex-husband, Marc Anthony.   Reuters reports that trouble began earlier this year when Lopez fired Manoukian and alerted him she no longer needed his crew on the night before they were scheduled to work.   Lopez claims Manoukian became “hostile and angry” that he was missing out on work.   “In the furtherance of this plot, he abruptly terminated his employment with Ms. Lopez and began to threaten her,” Lopez’ suit states.   Persons convicted of blackmail in California face up to four years in prison.   Last month, Lopez announced her departure from “American Idol,” a career move that put her out $17 million, according to Reuters.