Tyrann Mathieu's Lawyer: Multiple Family Members Involved in Extortion Scheme

A lawyer for Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu released a statement Wednesday saying multiple family members were involved in the alleged scheme to extort money from him.

Attorney Scott Rosenblum's statement read (via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk):

"Mr. Mathieu contacted me at the direction of his rep, Denise White, to advise and assist him as he was being victimized by malevolent family members. Once Mr. Mathieu decided to stop assisting these individuals financially, they turned to harassment, slander and extortion in their quest to gain financially. Their slanderous comments are wholly without merit and were designed to be outrageous enough to secure their outrageous demand of $25 million. Mr. Mathieu is a victim of an unscrupulous shakedown. He is a victim of a crime which he reported to the authorities and the authorities took immediate action. He simply refused to compromise his integrity and cow tow to this criminal conduct."

Geourvon Sears, a distant relative of Mathieu, was arrested this month after allegedly threatening to release details of alleged sexual misconduct by Mathieu to media if he was not paid millions of dollars. According to a federal affidavit obtained by WDSU, Sears called and texted Mathieu demanding amounts of money ranging from $1.5 million to $5 million.

"$5 million by Friday, I'm done talking, emailing TMZ now," Sears allegedly said in one text to Mathieu.

In another text sent to a family group message, Sears allegedly said, "I want $1.5 million by Friday or I am going to kill all you all.”

"He's dealing with a family member who is dealing with a mental health issue," agent Denise White told WDSU. "Tyrann is fine. His family is fine. They are getting through."

Sears is due for a court appearance Thursday.