Willis sues pal for blackmail

Bruce Willis is suing a childhood friend, claiming he tried to extort at least £55,500 from the action film star.

The lawsuit accuses Bruce DiMattia of civil extortion and violation of privacy. Die Hard star Willis is seeking at least £560,000 for general and special damages.

DiMattia worked for Willis -- and lived rent-free in a house owned by the actor -- from 2002 until 2006, the lawsuit said.

He was responsible for maintaining Willis' personal items and memorabilia and organising family photographs and videos, and entrusted with a video camera, a microphone and a gun belonging to Willis.

The lawsuit claims DiMattia was "overcome by greed and jealous of his former friend's success", so he threatened to release Willis' private photos and disclose personal information about the actor unless Willis bought him a car and paid him at least £55,000.

DiMattia's employment ended this year, but he "has refused to move out of the home owned by Willis" and "has further wrongfully retained possession" of Willis' private photos and other property, according to the lawsuit.

Willis' lawyer, Martin Singer, said the lawsuit was served to DiMattia "within a day or two of being filed", adding that the case would probably go to trial in a year.

DiMattia has not yet named a defence lawyer, according to a court clerk. There was no telephone listing for DiMattia in the Los Angeles area.

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