Cops: Twins pitcher Pavano was target of extortion

A Connecticut police search warrant affidavit says a high school classmate of Minnesota Twins pitcher Carl Pavano threatened to reveal an alleged homosexual relationship they had and write a book about it unless Pavano apologized and bought him a luxury SUV. The affidavit, first reported by the Record-Journal of Meriden, says police began investigating in December when Pavano's sister, Michelle DeGennaro, reported she got Facebook messages from 36-year-old Christian Bedard seeking money for claims she said were false. The affidavit contains the Facebook messages. Police searched Bedard's home last week. They haven't charged him. Bedard said in an email Thursday to The Associated Press he didn't attempt to extort money from Pavano. He said DeGennaro contacted him first on Facebook to ask him not to talk about the relationship. He said he told her he wanted an apology, but was joking about the car. DeGennaro didn't return messages Thursday. Pavano couldn't be reached for comment. His agent didn't return a phone message.