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‘Jersey Shore’ Star JWoww’s Ex-Boyfriend Charged With Trying To Extort Her

Thomas Lippolis allegedly called Jenni Farley's publicisst demanding $25,000 in exchange for not exposing her secrets.

By Sharon Lynn Pruitt

An ex-boyfriend of "Jersey Shore" star Jenni “Jwoww” Farley was charged with extortion this week after allegedly trying to score $25,000 dollars from his former flame.

Thomas Lippolis, a man Farley dated for approximately one year around a decade ago, was arrested and charged with third-degree extortion on Wednesday, the Toms River Police Department in New Jersey confirmed in a statement. Lippolis is alleged to have called Farley’s publicist and demanded $25,000 in exchange for not sharing secrets about Farley with media outlets, police said. After the publicist informed Farley of the threat, Farley reported the incident to police on Monday. Detectives launched an investigation into the claims on Wednesday and arrested Lippolis the same day, authorities said.

Following Lippolis’ arrest, Farley issued a statement to Entertainment Tonight praising the police for their handling of the situation.

“I would like to applaud the Toms River Police and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office for their professionalism, expedited response time and unwavering attention to detail that resulted in an immediate arrest after I was the target of a serious crime,” Farley said. “I feel fortunate to have the support of law enforcement of this caliber by my side, which has thankfully kept me and my children safe from those who have sought to victimize me.”

“While I am unable to comment any further in light of the ongoing investigation, I offer to you that I will share more once this matter is concluded, but in the meantime ask that you please respect the private nature of these legal matters so that the authorities may properly conduct their business operations,” she said.

Lippolis’ arrest comes one week after the mother of two requested and was granted a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband Roger Matthews. Police escorted Matthews out of their shared home early Friday morning, prompting Matthews to record and post a series of emotional videos claiming that a “disagreement” over his wife’s work schedule was the source of the drama. Farley later said in an Instagram statement that requesting the order of protection was “in her best interests, and the best interests of her children.”

Farley filed for divorce in September after three years of marriage.

[Photo: Getty Images, Toms River Police Department]

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