Police Drop Investigation into Extortion Claims by Daystar
Dallas-area police have dropped an investigation into allegations of extortion made by the founders of Daystar Television Network, concluding that they have not found any unlawful activity.
A representative from the Christian television network had been in contact with the Bedford Police Department over claims made by Marcus and Joni Lamb that three people had tried to extort $7.5 million from them to keep the story of Marcus' infidelity from the media.
But about a week into the probe, Bedford police said they have found nothing illegal after reviewing details provided by Daystar and consulting with the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office.
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"There does not appear to be any criminal conduct under the Texas Law. As such, the Bedford Police Department has ended its investigation into the matter," the police department said in a statement released Thursday.
Despite the end of a police investigation into the blackmail allegations, two lawsuits over the extramarital affair are still in play.
Jeanette Hawkins, a former Daystar marketing director, sued Marcus Lamb for fraud and defamation, alleging that claims of extortion against her and two other colleagues are false. The television network filed a countersuit alleging Hawkins played a leading role in the plot to extort the company.
Daystar Television Network said in a statement obtained by The Christian Post on Friday that it "will continue to aggressively pursue its legal claims to prevent former employees and their legal counsel from capitalizing on the personal crisis experienced by co-founders, the Lambs."
The Daystar founders went public with the story of Marcus Lamb's affair, which took place several years ago, during an appearance on the network's "Celebration" TV program in late November.
On Thursday, the couple appeared on the "Dr. Phil" show to again recount their journey of recovery and healing.
Joni Lamb told host Dr. Phil McGraw that the couple had one motive in their decision to come as guests on his show.
"One reason: while we do what we do everyday and that is to encourage people that you can make through even something what we've gone through, and marriage is worth fighting for," she said.
"For so long, we pretend that these kinds of things don't go on in the church but they do. I think it's time for us to speak up, speak to it and talk about it and try to help people."
On the show, Marcus Lamb reiterated remorse over his decision to have an affair, calling it "the worst decision of my life."
