The man accused of trying to extort Kevin Hart with a sex tape made without the actor’s knowledge pleaded not guilty to the charges on Monday, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.
Jonathan Todd Jackson, 41, was charged in May with one felony count each of attempted extortion and extortion by threatening letter.
The charges stem from Jackson allegedly trying to extort the actor and comedian for an undisclosed amount between Aug. 25 and Aug. 30 of last year.
Jackson, according to authorities, allegedly possessed a videotape of the actor engaged in sexual activities with a woman — not his wife — in Las Vegas. When Hart refused to pay, Jackson allegedly tried to sell the recording to numerous celebrity news websites, prosecutors said.
Following the incident, Hart posted an apology video on Instagram: “I’m at a place in my life where I feel like I have a target on my back. And because of that, I should make smart decisions. And recently, I didn’t. I’m not perfect.”
Jackson is due back in court Oct. 29. If convicted as charged, he faces a possible maximum sentence of four years in county jail.
