A photographer who took topless photographs of actress Cameron Diaz before she was famous, and allegedly tried to blackmail her later, went on trial yesterday.
The 42-year-old photographer, John Rutter, is charged with attempted grand theft and forging Diaz's signature on a model release form in 1992.
A further charge of extortion against Rutter was dropped. The photographer is alleged to have tried to blackmail the actress for up to $3m.
Diaz is expected to testify that she did not sign the model release form and that Rutter approached her telling her that he had buyers for the photographs, who were willing to pay up to $5m.
Deputy District Attorney, David Walgren, said: "(The) defendant presented her with a forged document and, in essence, attempted to blackmail her out of her money."
Rutter, who has denied forging the actress' signature, could face up to six years in prison if convicted.
Rutter's lawyer, Mark Werksman, said that his client was "guilty of being a nice guy" because he gave Diaz the first chance to buy the photographs from him.
