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Check out the media's questioning of her motive at the bottom of the article. 
Grandma admits to extortion
[SIZE=-1]Web Posted: 05/25/2007 10:22 PM CDT[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Graeme Zielinski[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Express-News[/SIZE]
An 81-year-old Kerrville grandmother who tried to shake $2 million out of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr by sending letters insinuating she was going to expose a personal encounter she claimed to have with him during the Eisenhower administration pleaded guilty in federal court Friday as she admitted the scheme.
Ruby Young pleaded guilty in a deal with federal prosecutors that would have her placed on probation for the two counts of extortion, each of which carried a maximum penalty of two years in prison and fines of $250,000. Young would be able to withdraw the plea if a judge opts for a harsher punishment at the sentencing date, which hasn't yet been set.
In October and again in November, Young sent letters to Starr, the former Green Bay Packers quarterback and head coach, at his residence in Birmingham, Ala., threatening to disclose an alleged "personal encounter" she had with him in 1960, according to the agreement.
"And now, the time has come for you to pay — to pay for the many injuries you caused me ... No I am not a push-over Mr. Starr — and no, I do not need the money — but I intend to see that you pay for your wrong doings (sic) to me... ," said the first letter, dated Oct. 30, 2006. "How much is it worth to preserve this 'image' presented to the public these many years of who and what you are?"
Starr, 73, was the MVP of the first two Super Bowls during the years of Vince Lombardi glory and later was himself a coach for the team. He has denied knowing Young.
Young was arrested last December after Starr's lawyers took the letters to prosecutors. She initially denied the allegations, but agreed to the plea late last month.
Dressed in a black shirt with floral embroidery and with a shock of silver hair, Young answered the question of U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Nowak in a tiny voice.
After the hearing, she said she'd have more to say about the case once she was sentenced, but for now was staying mum.
Standing beside her lawyer, Young did answer one question seeking to determine whether her scheme was related to being a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, the Packers' ancient rival whom Starr defeated in the 1967 "Ice Bowl."
"I'm not a fan of any sports team," she said.
gzielinski@express-news.net
LINK
Grandma admits to extortion
[SIZE=-1]Web Posted: 05/25/2007 10:22 PM CDT[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Graeme Zielinski[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Express-News[/SIZE]
An 81-year-old Kerrville grandmother who tried to shake $2 million out of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr by sending letters insinuating she was going to expose a personal encounter she claimed to have with him during the Eisenhower administration pleaded guilty in federal court Friday as she admitted the scheme.
Ruby Young pleaded guilty in a deal with federal prosecutors that would have her placed on probation for the two counts of extortion, each of which carried a maximum penalty of two years in prison and fines of $250,000. Young would be able to withdraw the plea if a judge opts for a harsher punishment at the sentencing date, which hasn't yet been set.
In October and again in November, Young sent letters to Starr, the former Green Bay Packers quarterback and head coach, at his residence in Birmingham, Ala., threatening to disclose an alleged "personal encounter" she had with him in 1960, according to the agreement.
"And now, the time has come for you to pay — to pay for the many injuries you caused me ... No I am not a push-over Mr. Starr — and no, I do not need the money — but I intend to see that you pay for your wrong doings (sic) to me... ," said the first letter, dated Oct. 30, 2006. "How much is it worth to preserve this 'image' presented to the public these many years of who and what you are?"
Starr, 73, was the MVP of the first two Super Bowls during the years of Vince Lombardi glory and later was himself a coach for the team. He has denied knowing Young.
Young was arrested last December after Starr's lawyers took the letters to prosecutors. She initially denied the allegations, but agreed to the plea late last month.
Dressed in a black shirt with floral embroidery and with a shock of silver hair, Young answered the question of U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Nowak in a tiny voice.
After the hearing, she said she'd have more to say about the case once she was sentenced, but for now was staying mum.
Standing beside her lawyer, Young did answer one question seeking to determine whether her scheme was related to being a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, the Packers' ancient rival whom Starr defeated in the 1967 "Ice Bowl."
"I'm not a fan of any sports team," she said.
gzielinski@express-news.net
LINK
