by Gina Serpe - Dec 29, 2005, 9:05 AM PT

Her love may not cost a thing, but her wedding video nearly set J.Lo back big time.
Two men accused of attempting to extort $1 million from Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony in exchange for the salsa singer's stolen laptop, which held a digital copy of the couple's June 2004 nuptials, were arrested during an NYPD sting operation Tuesday.

According to the New York Post, Tito Moses, 31, and Steven Wortman, 40, were busted after trying to sell the video to undercover cops posing as Anthony's associates.

"They were shocked because they thought they were coming for their payday--and instead, they got the surprise of their lives," Major Case Squad Inspector Michael Hines told the newspaper.

The men were arraigned Wednesday night on charges of conspiracy, attempted grand larceny and possession of stolen property.

According to police, the alleged extortionists first got hold of the laptop on Oct. 30, after jacking Anthony's car, which contained the computer, while he was filming a music video on location in Linden, New Jersey. Cops later located the vehicle in Newark, but the laptop was MIA.

Weeks later, a man calling himself "Mr. Moses" attempted to sell the video to several media outlets, including People magazine, Access Hollywood and the New York Post, all of which refused to pay for the footage.

The man then contacted Marc Anthony Productions and entered and demanded a big-bucks payment for the laptop.

Assistant District Attorney Jordan Arnold told the Post that Moses and Wortman "essentially held it for ransom" and when their seven-figure price tag was not immediately accepted, the two men "threatened to destroy" the video.
The couple's lawyers touched base with the NYPD, and a detective, posing as a member of the couple's team, began negotiating with Moses. According to the Post, the detective talked down the price to $200,000. Moses and Wortman, whose rap sheets include manslaughter, theft and weapons charges, were collared when they showed up for the money exchange.

"Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez are completely thrilled," Hines said.
The couple are currently in New York City filming El Cantante, a biopic of salsa singer Hector Lavoe that they are jointly producing and starring in.

E! Online News

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Russell Wilcox is a retired college professor who spends several months in Florida and several months in Rhode Island each year, and whose interests include boating and sailing, political activism, ballroom dancing and bridge. He has an MBA from Harvard, a Computer Systems CAGS from Bryant and a BS from Northeastern. He has worked in industry for EG&G and Texas Instruments, operated his own business with more than 200 employees, and served as Director of the Computer Information Systems Program for Stonehill College. He is a published author of two technical studies, and is the proud father of four children and the proud grandfather of six grandchildren. A holder of two patents in microchip connections and a true product of the melting pot, his father is the son of a Yankee farmer, and his mother the second generation daughter of Italian immigrants who retained their culture, but strove mightily to become Americans, sending four sons to fight against Hitler and Mussolini.