fdle investigates darling

This investigative report is predicated upon a request by Special Agent Supervisor (SAS) BillArnone to assist the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, Miami-Dade County with aninvestigation whereby allegations of extortion, theft and fraud have been made by an attorneyrepresenting Shaquille O'Neal.

The attorney, Paul A. Calli wrote a letter on January 4, 2010 addressed to Assistant StateAttorney (ASA) Joseph Centorino on Mr. O’Neal’s behalf stating that a subject, Shawn Darlingand another subject Vanessa Lopez are attempting to extort his client, Shaquille O’Neal for anamount exceeding sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000.00). The letter also alleged that Mr.Darling who had been hired by Mr. O’Neal and his wife to perform work on his computer andinstallation of a home theater system also stole thirteen thousand (13,000) electronic mails(emails) without authorization and/or consent. It also stated that Mr. Darling continues to use Mr.O’Neal’s email address and sends/intercepts electronic communications belonging to Mr.O’Neal.

The letter also stated that through then use of Mr. O’Neal’s emails, Mr. Darling had contactedthe female named Vanessa Lopez and elicited her in extorting Mr. O’Neal. Through the letterMr. Calli was requesting that the case be investigated by law enforcement for possible criminalprosecution.

The following is being submitted into related items under this investigative report:

A copy of the letter sent to ASA Joseph Centorino by Mr. Calli.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENTINVESTIGATIVE REPORT

Case Number:MI-48-2535 Serial #:1Author:Ojeda, Anthony J Office:MiamiActivity Start Date:01/10/2010 Activity End Date:01/10/2010Approved By:Arnone, William JamesDescription:Case Opening Investigative ReportTHIS REPORT IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE AGENCY TO WHICH IT WASDISSEMINATED AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS EITHER PRIVILEGED ORCONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. ITSCONTENTS ARE NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED OUTSIDE YOUR AGENCY.

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On January 12, 2010 a meeting took place at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office withSpecial Agent (SA) Anthony Ojeda and the following individuals:

Paul A. Calli, attorney currently representing Mr. O’Neal on this case.Marissel Descalzo, attorney currently representing Mr. O’Neal on the case.Donald Wayne DeLucca, private investigator with Andrews InternationalJoe Wise, private investigator with Andrews International

Assistant State Attorney (ASA) Joseph CentorinoAssistant State Attorney (ASA) Charlie Johnson

Special Agent Supervisor (SAS) Bill Arnone

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the case and possibly determine if any criminalcharges were valid regarding the allegations. As a result of the meeting additional informationwas requested of Mr. Calli by ASA Centorino and Johnson. Once the information is providedand reviewed a determination will be made regarding any criminal acts as having taken place.


Case Number:MI-48-2535 Serial #:2Author:Ojeda, Anthony J Office:MiamiActivity Start Date:01/12/2010 Activity End Date:01/12/2010Approved By:Arnone, William JamesDescription:Meeting at the Miami-Dade State Attorney's OfficeTHIS REPORT IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE AGENCY TO WHICH IT WASDISSEMINATED AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS EITHER PRIVILEGED ORCONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. ITSCONTENTS ARE NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED OUTSIDE YOUR AGENCY.

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On February 12, 2010 Ms. Vanessa Lopez was interviewed at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’sOffice. Present during the interview was Assistant State Attorney’s (ASA) Joe Centurino andCharlie Johnson. Also present was one of the attorney’s who now represents Ms. VanessaLopez in this criminal matter, Robert Amsel.

The purpose of the interview was to become better informed as to the relationship of Ms. Lopezwith O’Neal and a subject named Shawn Darling. The interview revealed the followinginformation as provided by Ms. Lopez:

Ms. Lopez stated that she has known the family of Shaquille (Shaq) O’Neal since she wasyounger (13yoa) as they all lived in the Orlando area. However, during her younger days shedid not have any type of relationship with Mr. O’Neal. She alleged that they began theirrelationship which included being physical (sexual) in nature approximately five (5) years ago.She knew that Mr. O’Neal was married and she said that over the summer of 2009 she and hehad an argument and she told him that she was going to tell his wife of the affair. Shortly afterthe argument she stated she received threatening voice mail messages from Mr. O’Neal’ssister. She said that in the messages his sister stated she (Ms. Lopez) would never model againand she threatened to place naked photos of Ms. Lopez on the internet. Ms. Lopez stated thatshe called Mr. O’Neal and after their conversation she began receiving “blocked” phone calls inthe early morning with an unknown person breathing into the phone. She also said that anunknown “police looking vehicle” was parked in front of her house. She said that on October 1,2009 she received a text message from someone she believes was hired by Mr. O’Neal named“Justin” who wrote in the message that he had “just landed”. She said she had no idea whoJustin was and why he had been sending her a text. She said she contacted the police as aresult of this.

On October 2, 2009 she said she received a text from an unknown number that stated “I canhelp you with your 7’02” problem”. She received additional texts from the same number thatstated “Don’t you want to get paid?” and also advising her that Mr. O’Neal had “hired Justin” toharass Ms. Lopez.

Ms. Lopez stated that she went to an attorney, Michelle Kelson because she wanted to file arestraining order against Mr. O’Neal for harassment. She then began speaking with a person


Case Number:MI-48-2535 Serial #:3Author:Ojeda, Anthony J Office:MiamiActivity Start Date:02/12/2010 Activity End Date:02/12/2010Approved By:Arnone, William JamesDescription:Interview of Vanessa LopezTHIS REPORT IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE AGENCY TO WHICH IT WASDISSEMINATED AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS EITHER PRIVILEGED ORCONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. ITSCONTENTS ARE NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED OUTSIDE YOUR AGENCY.

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who became known to her as Shawn Darling both through text and on the phone. He told her hecould help her with her restraining order and lawsuit she was filing against Mr. O’Neal at whichtime Ms. Lopez stated she provided the name and number to Ms. Kelson and had him call.According to Ms. Lopez, Mr. Darling sent a text over to Ms. Kelson that had allegedly beenwritten between Mr. O’Neal and “Justin”. She said that when her attorney spoke with Mr. Darlinghe indicated to her that he wanted something for supplying the text messages from Mr. O’Neal.According to Ms. Lopez during her and Ms. Kelson’s conversations with Mr. Darling he toldthem that he was working for “Shawnee” who is Mr. O’Neal’s wife. She said that he tried to pushher into filing for the restraining order against Mr. O’Neal and also said he had been “leaking”information to the tabloids about Mr. O’Neal.

Ms. Lopez stated that she told another attorney named Lafe Purcell who is representing her inanother paternity case against National Basketball Association (NBA) player J.J. Redick aboutthe alleged harassment case with Mr. O’Neal. According to Ms. Lopez, Mr. Purcell told Ms.Lopez that they needed the help of Mr. Darling for their lawsuit and he allegedly emailed him.She stated that he (Mr. Purcell) and Mr. Darling had conversations and ultimately Mr. Purcellallegedly began representing Mr. Darling because according to Ms. Lopez, Mr. Darling told Mr.Purcell that he had nineteen-thousand (19,000) emails, recordings and bank routing informationbelonging to Mr. O’Neal. According to Ms. Lopez she was told by Mr. Purcell to record hertelephone conversations with Mr. O’Neal (without his knowledge). She said that Mr. Purcell hadtold her that it was legal for her to record the conversation with Mr. O’Neal as long as there wasa third (3rd) party who was willing to be a witness to the conversation. Ms. Lopez said that Mr.Purcell told her that he would be able to supply a private investigator (PI) who would be willingto be the witness although he didn’t actually hear and/or witness the telephone conversations.Ms. Lopez said that she was counseled by the attorney on what to say in the conversations andthat he (Mr. Purcell) wanted to set up Mr. O’Neal. According to Ms. Lopez she did make callsand the same are now in the possession of Mr. Purcell and her current attorney Allred.

According to Ms. Lopez, Mr. Darling told her that he had been hired by Mr. O’Neal’s wife as herpersonal computer technician and had access to duplicating the information from Mr. O’Neal’scomputer. According to Ms. Lopez, Mr. Darling told another attorney named Reed Ferrea(Phonetically) that if Mr. O’Neal didn’t give him fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000,000.00) hewould put his information (emails, etc.) “out there”.

Ms. Lopez stated that she has seen some of the emails sent to Mr. Purcell as she said the Mr.Darling had set up access (unknown) for Mr. Purcell to get into his (Mr. Darling’s) files to readthe information. She said that some of the information she was able to see were conversationsbetween Mr. O’Neal and his therapist, another conversation when his (Mr. O’Neal’s brother) wascaught with a transvestite, relationships of Mr. O’Neal with other females, and how hisstep-father (Mr. O’Neal) use to smoke crack cocaine.

According to Ms. Lopez, during conversations with Mr. Darling he told her the recordedconversations she had with Mr. O’Neal at the request of Mr. Purcell were illegal. She said thatshe subsequently spoke with another attorney, Gloria Allred from California who told her thatshe should have no contact with Mr. Purcell or Mr. Darling because what they were doing wasillegal. She said that on December 29, 2009 an associate of Ms. Allred’s firm, Nathan Goldbergflew to Miami and met with her and Mr. Darling at the Fontainebleau Hotel on Miami Beach. Shesaid that during that conversation Mr. Darling told them that he had access to Mr. O’Neal’sinformation because he owned the server he was on along with the domain; therefore he ownedeverything relating to his computer. She said that Mr. Darling was upset with Ms. Allred’s firmbecause they would not represent him and that Mr. Darling had told Mr. Goldberg that he

Case Number: MI-48-2535 IR Number: 3

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wanted fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000,000.00) for the information he had on Mr. O’Neal.

According to Ms. Lopez the reason that Mr. Darling told her he was doing these things to Mr.O’Neal was because he (Mr. Darling) was upset with the way Mr. O’Neal was treating his wife(Shawnee) and that he (Mr. O’Neal) had put on a Global Position Satellite (GPS) on his wife’scar to track her whereabouts. Ms. Lopez also said that when she made the recordings of herconversations at the request of Mr. Purcell, she bought the recorder used and all of the tapeswere given to Mr. Purcell. She did state that a letter had been sent by Mr. Purcell to Ms. Allredregarding the calls and third (3rd) party witness he had regarding the calls. Ms. Lopez said thatMr. Darling now had an attorney located in Washington D.C., named Jonathan Heller. Shefurther stated that he (Mr. Darling) continues to call her a couple of times a week. She said Mr.Darling can still access Mr. O’Neal’s computer and that he has told her that if he receivedthirty-percent (30%) of her settlement from the lawsuit she has outstanding against Mr. O’Nealhe would turn it over everything over to her.

Ms. Lopez was willing to cooperate in anything that law enforcement may want and/or do shouldthe Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office feel that there is a prosecutable case. Ms. Lopez alsoprovided copies of text communication between her and Mr. O’Neal as well as Mr. Darling forreview.


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On February 13, 2010 Special Agent Anthony Ojeda reviewed all the text messages provided byMs. Vanessa Lopez during the interview of February 12, 2010. As a result of the same SAOjeda didn’t see anything in any of the messages that indicated any type of extortion directlymade to Mr. O’Neal by Ms. Lopez or the other subject of this case, Darling.

Copies of the messages were made and provided to Assistant State Attorney (ASA) CharlieJohnson for his review and file. ASA Johnson told SA Ojeda that he would review the same anda determination will be made whether the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office is willing topursue this matter criminally.


A copy of the text messages provided by Ms. Vanessa Lopez during her interview.


Case Number:MI-48-2535 Serial #:4Author:Ojeda, Anthony J Office:MiamiActivity Start Date:02/13/2010 Activity End Date:02/13/2010Approved By:Arnone, William JamesDescription:Text messages provided by Ms. Vanessa LopezTHIS REPORT IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE AGENCY TO WHICH IT WASDISSEMINATED AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS EITHER PRIVILEGED ORCONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. ITSCONTENTS ARE NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED OUTSIDE YOUR AGENCY.

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On April 13, 2010 Special Agent (SA) Anthony Ojeda and Magali Bonilla interviewed Ms.Vanessa Lopez with her attorney, Robert Amsel present. The purpose for the interview was tofurther speak with Ms. Lopez regarding her relationship and/or knowledge of Shawn Darling aswell as establish creditability of Ms. Lopez regarding her other lawsuits and/or relationships withprofessional athletes. Ms. Lopez had been issued a subpoena previously when she wasinterviewed on February 12, 2010 at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. Mr. Amsel statedthat he had spoken with Assistant State Attorney (ASA) Charlie Johnson regarding thesubpoena and the fact that Ms. Lopez was still being granted immunity under the originalsubpoena issued on that date.

Ms. Lopez stated that most of her contact with Mr. O'Neal was through texting or directtelephone conversation. SA Ojeda had noted when he reviewed the text documents provided byMs. Lopez on February 12, 2010 that there appeared to be large date gaps. Ms. Lopez statedthat the documents had been shortened and her attorney representing her in her civil lawsuitagainst Mr. O'Neal, Gloria Allred had the full version of the text messages. Ms. Lopez statedthat she provided Mr. O'Neal with copies of the same texts she provided to law enforcement onFebruary 12, 2010 and he’s aware of them.

Ms. Lopez again went over information she had previously provided on February 12, 2010 andfurther stated that she has had no contact with Mr. O'Neal since December 2009. She wasspecifically asked about any and all relationships and lawsuits she may have filed against anyand all professional athletes. Ms. Lopez stated she had only three (3) relationships withprofessional sports figures and filed two (2) lawsuits. She said that the individuals were Mr.Shaquille O'Neal, Mr. and Mr. Kenyon Martin. All three (3) are professionalbasketball players. The lawsuits she stated she filed were against Mr. O'Neal and Mr. She stated she had a sexual relationship with Mr. Martin but never filed any lawsuit against him.Her lawsuit against Mr. O'Neal is pending, and as a result of her lawsuit against Mr. shesaid it was closed and she received no monetary settlement. She additionally stated that herlawsuit against Mr. was as a result of her becoming pregnant by him; however, she hadan abortion stating she paid for the same. According to Ms. Lopez this information (pregnancy)has never been told and/or known to anyone. She stated she has no children with anyone. Shedenied any relationship with Dwayne Wade a professional basketball player mentioned by Mr.O'Neal in his texts to Ms. Lopez and as having a relationship.


Case Number:MI-48-2535 Serial #:5Author:Ojeda, Anthony J Office:MiamiActivity Start Date:04/13/2010 Activity End Date:04/13/2010Approved By:Arnone, William JamesDescription:Interview of Ms. Vanessa Lopez at FDLETHIS REPORT IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE AGENCY TO WHICH IT WASDISSEMINATED AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS EITHER PRIVILEGED ORCONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. ITSCONTENTS ARE NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED OUTSIDE YOUR AGENCY.

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Ms. Lopez stated that the subject of this case, Darling has been calling and/or texting her andher attorney, Jonathan Heller who works for Ms. Allred stating that for one-hundred thousanddollars ($100,000.00) he would provide them with information (unknown what) that would helpher lawsuit against Mr. O'Neal. She also alleged that Mr. Darling has been paid twenty-fivethousand dollars ($25,000.00) by a dot com tabloid, Radar.com for an interview. She said hehas told her in the past that he (Mr. Darling) has retrieved Mr. O'Neal’s emails because he ownsthe domain and server that is used by Mr. O'Neal. This was previously mentioned during herinterview of February 12, 2010. She again stated that she was told by Mr. Darling that he would“leak everything” he has on Mr. O'Neal if he wasn’t paid twelve million dollars($12,000,000,000.00). She stated she had asked Mr. Darling if he had leaked some of theinformation currently on-line with the tabloids and she stated he said “not me”. She further saidthat he (Mr. Darling) had told her that he had brought the information he has on Mr. O'Neal tohis attorney’s in Washington D.C. He further said that as a result of reviewing them he (Mr.Darling) was told that the attorneys saw what he described as being seventeen (17) felonies inthe information that could be used against Mr. O'Neal. It’s unknown exactly what Mr. Darlingwas alleging and what may have been in the information. According to Ms. Lopez she had seenonly a few of the emails that Mr. Darling is alleged to have when she was at her attorney’soffice. She said it was at the office of Lafe Purcell and according to Ms. Lopez Mr. Darling gavehim access to information (unknown how). She said that Mr. Purcell showed her the emails andshe recalled some of the information from four of them. She stated the following based on whatshe has alleged she saw; Mr. O'Neal’s brother having been caught with a transvestite, how he(Mr. O'Neal) was abused (unknown what type of abuse) by his stepfather until the age offourteen (14), how Mr. O'Neal’s father smoked one million dollars ($1,000,000,000.00) worth ofcrack cocaine as well as discussions (emails) between Mr. O'Neal and his ex-wife ShaunieO'Neal regarding their visits to the therapist (marriage counselor) and what had happened.

Ms. Lopez stated that she was willing to assist law enforcement with controlled telephone call(s)and/or a controlled meeting(s) with Mr. Darling.


A copy of the article regarding from KTLA.com


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As a result of the interview with Ms. Vanessa Lopez on April 13, 2010 SA Ojeda’s investigationrevealed that Ms. Lopez had an additional relationship with another basketball player, DelonteWest which was not disclosed when specifically asked. Mr. West played for the Boston Celticsand had called the Orlando Police Department after an altercation with Ms. Lopez on March 18,2006. Ms. Lopez indicated in the police report filed by the Orlando P.D. that she was thegirlfriend of Mr. West although according to the report that was denied by Mr. West. However,the report does indicate that both Ms. Lopez and Mr. West acknowledged having a sexualrelationship with each other. A copy of the report was obtained online from the website TMZ.

The lack of disclosing this information when specifically asked reflects Ms. Lopez’ credibilitywhen asked about specific issues regarding her lawsuits and/or relationships with professionalathletes. SA Ojeda was very direct and clear when asking any question(s) and Mr. Amsel who isMs. Lopez’ criminal attorney also explained to her the need for her to be totally honest whenasked specific questions and the purpose for such questions.

This information or lack thereof was passed along to Assistant State Attorney (ASA) CharlieJohnson and discussed further when it came to investigating this case and establishing thecredibility and/or use of Ms. Lopez for possibly assisting law enforcement. ASA Johnson statedthat the case would be presented to State Attorney Katherine Rundle-Fernandez for review anda decision for prosecution made.

On May 10, 2010 SA Ojeda received a telephone call from ASA Johnson who stated that ameeting had occurred with him and Ms. Rundle-Fernandez and after the facts were presentedalong with the issues of Ms. Lopez it was determined that the Miami-Dade State Attorney’sOffice would not pursue any criminal charges regarding anyone involved in this case includingMr. Darling and/or Ms. Lopez.

Based on the above nothing additional will be done regarding any investigation into this case.


A copy of the Orlando Police Department report as posted on the website TMZ.


Case Number:MI-48-2535 Serial #:6Author:Ojeda, Anthony J Office:MiamiActivity Start Date:05/10/2010 Activity End Date:05/10/2010Approved By:Arnone, William JamesDescription:Case closing investigative reportTHIS REPORT IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE AGENCY TO WHICH IT WASDISSEMINATED AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS EITHER PRIVILEGED ORCONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. ITSCONTENTS ARE NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED OUTSIDE YOUR AGENCY.

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