Lawyers representing actor Jim Carrey have just launched a cross-complaint against people the actor claims are attempting to extort him over the 2015 death of an ex-girlfriend. As we reported last year, Carrey is being sued in a wrongful death claim put forward by people associated with his ex, Cathriona White, alleging that Carrey provided her with the drugs she used to take her own life. Now, not only is Carrey going on the offensive against the claims, but he’s also stated that this is actually the second time people involved in the case have attempted to extort him in regards to his relationship with White.
Per Variety, Carrey’s complaint states that the plaintiffs’ lawyer in the current case, Filippo Marchino, previously helped White set up a 2013 scheme in which Carrey was forced to pay them “millions of dollars” or White would go to the press, claiming Carrey infected her with multiple STIs. At the time, Carrey settled, apparently hoping to avoid public attention related to the claims.
“In this case,” the cross-complaint reads, Cross-Defendant Filippo Marchino took what started as a warm and exciting romance between Jim Carrey and Cat White, a beautiful yet immature and emotionally damaged woman, and turned it into an act of extortion, coercion, and theft.”
Carrey also issued his own statement on the current wrongful death suit, flatly denying he had any part in the events that led up to White’s death:
Unfortunately, I made the mistake three years ago of giving in and settling false claims made against me by Mr. Marchino, on behalf of Cat, as mounting a public defense is a very costly and painful process. At the time I felt Cat was being exploited by Marchino. Since this new case was filed, I have discovered the depth of deception behind those false claims, the kind of deception decent people fall for, because to us, such behavior is unimaginable.
I will not give in a second time to these same fraudulent charges initiated by Cat’s husband in name but not substance Mark Burton, and her estranged mother. Nor am I responsible for what these desperate characters have inadvertently unearthed about the woman I adored. I was clearly blinded by my affection. Regardless, I will hold a place of empathy, and forgiveness for Cat and continue to focus on the many blessings in this life.