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*Last Thursday was golden for singer/actress Jennifer Lopez on the legal front. The day started with a guilty plea from the second thief accused of stealing her wedding video, and later brought news that her ex-husband has agreed to keep his mouth shut about details of their one-year marriage while they settle a lawsuit over his planned tell-all book.
In New Jersey, 49-year-old Steven Wortman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of attempted grand larceny for his role in plotting to sell the stolen video of J.Lo and Marc Anthony's June 2004 nuptials back to the couple for $1 million.
Wortman, who was also facing charges for conspiracy and possessing stolen property, received three years' probation in exchange for his plea. Wortman’s partner-in-crime, 31-year-old Tito Moses, pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny on June 14 in exchange for a guarantee of 18 months to three years in prison.
The pair came across the laptop containing the wedding pictures after it was stolen from Anthony’s Cadillac Escalade, along with the car itself, while it was parked on a New Jersey street in October 2005.
Moses called Anthony’s production company to try and extort $1 million for the return of the computer. An undercover detective got Moses to lower the price to $250,000 and arranged to make the big tradeoff at a diner, where they were arrested on the spot.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Lopez’ ex-husband Ojani Noa agreed to stop sharing intimate details or criticism of the actress to the press while they attempt to settle a lawsuit over his planned tell-all book.
A preliminary injunction between the two parties was signed by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Thursday and made public a day later, resulting in the cancellation of a hearing in the case. It will remain in effect until either the two settle their dispute or a nonjury trial is held to decide whether the latest court order will remain permanent.
In April, Lopez sued Noa to stop him from publishing a book she claimed would breach a nondisclosure, "non-disparagement" pact between them. She then obtained a temporary restraining order to prevent him from moving forward with the proposed book.
Under the injunction, the Cuban-born Noa is barred from "criticizing, denigrating, casting in a negative light or otherwise disparaging" Lopez. He also may not disclose for financial gain "any private or intimate details" about Lopez or their relationship, the court order stated. Moreover, Noa may not sell or circulate a manuscript of the book and must retrieve any book materials from anyone who may have possession of them and inform those parties that they, too, are barred from disseminating them.
In the meantime, both sides were directed to try to "resolve their dispute without engaging in further litigation," the court order states.