Miami

Miami Beach Realtor Tries to Extort Powerful Brokers: Police

An investigation has been launched into allegations of an extortion plot against Jill Hertzberg and Jill Eber, two realtors in Miami-Dade County.

The two high-powered brokers with Coldwell Banker are known as "the Jills."

According to the arrest warrant, Kevin Tomlinson, 48, a realtor with ONE Sotheby's International, filed an ethics complaint against Hertzberg and Eber for alleged violations related to the multiple listing service (MLS).

Several months after the complaint was filed, the warrant says Tomlinson contacted Hertzberg and offered to meet her, suggesting he had a way of withdrawing the complaint.

A meeting took place on July 16 at Hertzberg's residence, at which time, according to the warrant, Tomlinson said he "had the power to resolve the complaint and make it go away" with a payment of $500,000 to be split by Hertzberg and Eber.

Tomlinson allegedly said if the women paid him that amount, "he could resolve everything." The warrant also said he stated if the payment wasn't received, he threatened to go public with the information and "ruin their reputations" and wouldn't accept less than $400,000.

The Jills contacted Miami Beach Police the next day and filed a police report.

In the beginning of August, detectives advised Hertzberg to call Tomlinson on several occasions and he continued his apparent extortion plot, and continued to make threats.

Hertzberg then had Tomlinson come to her home for another meeting on Aug. 6, with the detectives' knowledge. Hertzberg was prepared to give Tomlinson a check in the amount of $400,000.

In response, Tomlinson allegedly demanded $800,000 instead and continued to make threats if he wasn't paid.

He was arrested over the weekend after allegedly kicking and fighting officers, and then grabbing for an officer's gun. He was charged with resisting arrest with violence and depriving an officer of means of protection.

Tomlinson also faces two counts of extortion by threats.

He was released from jail on $11,000 bond, according to jail records.

Hertzberg and Eber declined to comment for this story.

Tomlinson and his attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.

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