Stevie Wonder's nephew, woman charged in extortion plot

Stevie Wonder's nephew and a woman have been charged in an extortion plot against the legendary singer, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said Friday.

Alpha Lorenzo Walker, 38, and Tamara Eileen Diaz, 38, are charged with felony extortion of money and other property from Wonder by "means of force and threat." Walker is Wonder's nephew.

The pair were arrested May 2 after an investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department's elite Robbery Homicide Division. Sources familiar with the probe say the officers were among the people the couple thought were representing the singer.

Walker is a contractor and was arrested at 3 p.m. May 2 at 2049 Century Park East. He was also being held on a probation violation but no details were available.

The couple were arrested after allegedly threatening to reveal embarrassing information about Wonder unless he paid them a significant sum of money.

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Photo: Stevie Wonder performs at the White House on May 9. Credit: Kevin Dietsch / Pool