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Tipster Who Led To Suspect In Hollywood Publicist's Murder Sues To Get Reward Money

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The tipster who led police to the killer of Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen last year is suing to get $125,000 in reward money that he says he is owed.

In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, the tipster, identified only as John Doe, says Harold Matzner and Michael Levine have reneged on their promises to pay a reward for information leading to Chasen's killer.

Doe says he identified Harold Smith to America's Most Wanted, which contacted the Beverly Hills Police Department. Police said Smith, who fatally shot himself as officers closed in on him last December, was Chasen's killer.

Harold M. Smith
Harold M. Smith

Matzner, chairman of the Palm Springs Film Festival,  told the Palm Springs Desert Sun that he will not pay the reward because Smith was not arrested and convicted as the reward terms stipulated.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

 

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