Smurf & turf: Blackstone big shakedown winds up in bust

The guy who brought Smurfs to America was busted in an extortion attempt of his son-in-law, a bigwig at Blackstone Group.  Stuart Ross, of Aventura Fla. was charged, along with his lawyer, of attempting to shake down Blackstone senior managing director David Blitzer for serious cash -- to the tune of $11 million.  Ross and his lawyer could spend seven years in prison if they're found guilty.  This Ross guy sounds like a real pill / ingrate / piece of work even after he had convinced Blitzer to seed a a couple of earlier business ventures.  According to the New York Post:

Ross - whose daughter Allison is Blitzer's wife - had long been estranged from the family after telling her he wished her unborn child would die and that obscenities should be carved on her gravestone, according to a civil lawsuit Blitzer filed separately.
 
  Ross had also walked off with $195,000 Blitzer gave him to start an Internet business, the suit said. Ross then disappeared from the couple's lives for many years.
 
  In December 2007, Ross called Blitzer and got the son-in-law to give him $65,000 for seed money to start a business venture.

But Ross apparently wanted more cash and he started harassing Blitzer with a barrage of phone calls and emails, threatening to wreak havoc on Blitzer's career and reputation.  Ross also called Blitzer's bosses at Blackstone. 

"David, this is your worst nightmare," he said in one call, according to the civil suit. "I'm going to continue to harass you. I am going to call you every day - four or five times a day - I am going to keep calling."
 
  On Thursday, Blitzer met with Jackson and Ross and agreed to give them $400,000. The two men were arrested yesterday.

Smurfing Hard Time - New York Post

Two Accused of Harassing Blackstone Group Executive - Wall Street Journal