Nuggets center Chris "Birdman" Andersen may be extortion victim

The Denver Postdenverpost.com

Douglas County investigators on Thursday went to Andersen's home in Larkspur and seized property. Andersen, 33, has not been arrested or charged with a crime.

In the statement, Colin Bresee, an attorney for Andersen, suggested that a woman from California has tried to get items of value from Andersen. The statement reads:

"A female fan in 2010 mailed Mr. Andersen multiple letters and included several photos in which she was scantily clad. Chris and this woman communicated with each other and in 2011, this woman, who represented herself as 21 years of age, flew to Colorado, showing her required identification. After leaving Colorado, she became upset at his lack of interest. In 2012, she threatened to retaliate if he did not provide financial remuneration. "

According to the statement, someone purporting to be the woman's mother wrote in an email that " 'i (sic) want him to pay for everything on her Amazon wish list, 5K for her bedding stuff and her victoria secret wish list."

"Professional athletes are routinely targeted by these types of individuals," the statement said. "The media has been speculating that he's a suspect and not a victim in a criminal investigation. Mr. Andersen has been fully cooperative with the authorities. The investigation is expected to take three weeks. We're confident it will show that Chris did not engage in any criminal conduct."

Thursday afternoon, the Nuggets said Andersen had been "excused indefinitely" from team activities while Douglas County sheriff's detectives investigate.

Andersen has been under investigation since February, when a California law enforcement agency tipped off Douglas County.

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingne...egal-team-says