John Stamos Played Uncle Sleazy, Defense in Blackmail Case Argues

MARQUETTE, Mich. — Attorneys for a couple accused of plotting to extort $680,000 from John Stamos are trying to get them off the hook by attacking the actor's character and the FBI's credibility.

Defense lawyers in the trial of Allison Coss and Scott Sippola have portrayed Stamos as a promiscuous drug user — allegations he denied while testifying Tuesday. They've also asked federal agents whether they destroyed evidence after setting up a sting operation to snare the defendants, drawing emphatic denials.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, are methodically building their case with reams of documentation and testimony suggesting Coss and Sippola hoped to strike it rich by tricking Stamos into believing they were prepared to sell compromising photos of him to celebrity tabloids.

The government was scheduled to call more witnesses Wednesday in U.S. District Court. Judge R. Allan Edgar said he expected the jury to get the case Thursday.

Stamos, the 46-year-old "Full House" and "ER" star who's preparing to join the Fox hit show "Glee," spent several hours on the stand Tuesday. He acknowledged having a "flirty" e-mail relationship with Coss after socializing with her in Orlando, Fla., in 2004, but denied knowing she was 17 at the time.

Stamos also denied defense lawyer Sarah Henderson's accusation that he stripped and sat in a hot tub in his hotel room with Coss, who was wearing only underclothes. And he insisted knowing all along that no photos of him using illegal drugs existed, despite corresponding online with someone claiming to have such pictures.

Coss, now 24, and 31-year-old Sippola are charged with conspiracy and two counts of extortion. If convicted, the Marquette couple could get up to five years in prison on the conspiracy charge and two years on each extortion count.

Questioned by prosecutors, Stamos said he joined three male friends on a trip to Orlando six yea ...