Man who sued 'Dr.Seuss' gets probation

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Charles Augustus Steen III, of Portland, Ore., who admitted he tried to extort $2.5 million from the widow of Theodor Geisel, has been given probation.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Saturday Steen said that he meant no harm to the widow of "Dr. Seuss" but that he was frustrated because he believed the Dr. Seuss estate plagiarized a play he wrote in 1990 and copyrighted in 1991.

Steen sued the estate, but a New Mexico judge dismissed the case.

He then wrote another play, "The Tragical History of Audrey Geisel or How the Grinch Plagiarized My ... Children's Story." He also painted a rendering of Dr. Seuss characters in sexual situations.

"It was his way of expressing his anger," his lawyer said. "He's an artist."

As part of the plea agreement, Steen pleaded guilty and prosecutors dropped a second extortion charge. If Steen out of trouble for 18 months, he can have the felony reduced to a misdemeanor.

He was also ordered to take anger management classes.