Charges dropped in alleged kidnapping over Shaq

LOS ANGELES (AP) - At the prosecution's request, a judge Tuesday dismissed kidnapping, assault and robbery charges...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles County prosecutors have dropped the case against seven gang members accused of kidnapping a music producer who claimed to have a sex tape of Shaquille O’Neal.

At the prosecution’s request, a judge Tuesday dismissed kidnapping, assault and robbery charges.

District attorney’s spokeswoman Jane Robinson says prosecutors believed Robert Ross was attacked but his credibility as a witness was undermined by some of his own testimony and behavior outside court. No details were provided.

Mark Overland, Ross’s attorney in a lawsuit against O’Neal, says he has confidence in Ross’s credibility.

Ross testified that in 2008, following a business dispute, he falsely told O’Neal he had a sex tape. Ross claims that two weeks later he was attacked by gang members who mentioned O’Neal.

O’Neal denied involvement and wasn’t charged.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.

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