Cardinals' Belliard named in federal case

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The brother of a defendant in a federal extortion case has drawn former St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Ronnie Belliard into the proceedings.

The court case against George H. Edwards had been based around his alleged attempt to blackmail a Major League Baseball player, whose name remained a mystery until his brother, Milo, alleged it was Belliard in court on Friday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said.

"I want his name in the paper like my family's name is in the paper," the defendant's brother said of Belliard.

The defendant allegedly attempted to blackmail a professional athlete for $150,000 after the athlete engaged in a sexual affair with his daughter, ending in her pregnancy.

Belliard's agent, Dominic Torres, confirmed his client was linked to the case but was innocent of any infidelity allegations made against him.

"The events as they are told are completely unfounded," Torres said. "I have been working with the FBI from the onset in an attempt to apprehend this known extortionist and his daughter. In the end, my client will be vindicated and due to the continuing legal nature of this case, I have no further comments at this time."