Leo Grillo, a former actor turned animal rights activist, is facing shocking new charges of attempted kidnapping after trying to pay henchmen to abduct an immigrant ex-employee who had won a $6.7 million lawsuit against him. This lawsuit left his charity bankrupt, leading Grillo to desperate measures.
The 77-year-old actor, known for his role in the 2006 film “Zyzzyx Rd,” allegedly attempted to pay up to $100,000 to have Adriana Duarte Valentines kidnapped and taken to Mexico. The plan was for Valentines to be coerced into cooperating with Grillo regarding her lawsuit while in captivity.
The FBI became involved in the case, setting up a sting operation with a would-be kidnapper. Grillo continued to orchestrate the kidnapping even after being shown a staged photo of Valentines and her husband bound and gagged.
Grillo, who founded the animal sanctuary Dedication and Everlasting Love to Animals Rescue (DELTA) near Los Angeles in 1979, now faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The lawsuit against DELTA was filed by Valentines, a Mexican immigrant who alleged discrimination after being fired due to her pregnancy. The lawsuit forced DELTA to file for bankruptcy.
During the trial, Grillo made derogatory statements towards Valentines, with her lawyer describing his comments as “borderline racist.” Rumors circulated online that Valentines was an illegal immigrant, but her lawyer dismissed these claims as baseless.
Prosecutors claim that Grillo reached out to a colleague with connections in Mexico to carry out the kidnapping. Initially disguised as a documentary production, the plan unraveled when authorities intervened, causing Grillo to become desperate and drop all pretense about his intentions.
Grillo’s career peaked with the 2006 film “Zyzzyx Rd,” which he produced and starred in alongside Katherine Heigl. The film received negative reviews, with a 28% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It featured Heigl in a controversial role as a “Lolita” character.
The attempted kidnapping case has shocked many, highlighting the lengths to which Grillo was willing to go to evade the consequences of the lawsuit. The investigation continues, with Grillo facing serious charges that could have lasting repercussions on his reputation and legacy in the entertainment industry.
