Flatley wins extortion case

LONDON -- Dance star Michael Flatley has won an $11 million settlement in the United States from a woman who falsely accused him of sexual assault and attempted to extort money from him, he said in a statement.

Flatley, who was raised in Chicago and is the former star of the Irish dance spectacle "Riverdance," has achieved international acclaim with his own shows, "Lord of the Dance," "Feet of Flames" and "Celtic Tiger."

He said in a statement issued Saturday by his London-based publicist that he had been awarded the damages over malicious claims made against him by Tyna Marie Robertson, a real estate agent.

"I am very pleased with the judgment awarded to me. Ms. Robertson tried to extort money from me by spreading these lies and the court sent a message that it will not tolerate these types of schemes," Flatley said in the statement.

A message left with Flatley's lawyer Sunday was not immediately returned. Attempts to identify a current lawyer for Robertson were unsuccessful, as were attempts to find a listing for her.

The 49-year-old dancer said he was offered the settlement at a hearing Friday at California Supreme Court.

Robertson originally had alleged Flatley had raped her in a Las Vegas hotel in 2002 and threatened to file a sexual assault lawsuit unless Flatley agreed to pay a "seven figures" settlement, according to court papers.

Police declined to press criminal charges, and Flatley said the sex was consensual.

Robertson then filed a $33 million civil sexual assault lawsuit in Illinois, but it was later dismissed. Flatley countered with a lawsuit claiming extortion, fraud and defamation.

Robertson is the ex-girlfriend of Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, and the two have battled in court themselves over their young son, Kennedy.