Gordon made his first threat in the fall of 1997, writing Anderson a letter that accused him of making a pass at him four years earlier at a casino in Hawthorne, Calif. In an alleged blackmail letter, Gordon cited sportscaster Marv Albert and President Clinton as examples of people whose careers were hurt by sex scandals, according to the FBI.

“In exchange for Rich Gordon’s life story, Louie Anderson, as represented by Jim Gitar, agrees to pay the total sum of $100,000,” said an excerpt cited in the affidavit. The arrangement called for Anderson to pay $50,000 that month and the rest in monthly installments until 2003.

When FBI agents lured Gordon and Auten to a Los Angeles restaurant on Tuesday, the suspects took off in Auten’s truck and drove as fast as 85 mph through residential neighborhoods before giving up, authorities said.

Among those charged is Hells Angels member Shawn Gordon Boshaw, 32, who is charged with instructing the commission of an offence for a criminal organization. Another current member and an ex-Hells Angels member are also charged.

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