title: David Hans Schmidt
text: # David Hans Schmidt
  
  David Hans Schmidt (May 27, 1960 – September 28, 2007) was a broker in celebrity photos and other celebrity related items. His specialization in acquiring celebrity sex videos and nude photos earned him the nickname "The Sultan of Sleaze," a moniker he was proud to have. In addition to celebrity videos/photos, he marketed other celebrity goods, such as the diaries of Paris Hilton, the nude images of Amber Frey, the mistress of convicted murderer Scott Peterson.
  
  Schmidt, born in Rochester, Minnesota, launched his career by brokering a deal between Playboy and Bill Clinton's mistress Gennifer Flowers.
  
  ## Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
  
  In early 2007, Schmidt agreed to plead guilty to attempted extortion after federal authorities said he contacted Tom Cruise and tried to extort him, threatened to release photos of Cruise and Holmes' wedding in Italy last year unless he was paid $1.2 million to $1.3 million.
  
  ## Suicide
  
  On Friday, September 28, 2007, Schmidt was found dead in his home in Arizona. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging.
  
  ## Footnotes
  
  * ↑ Man charged in Tom Cruise extortion plot found dead; Los Angeles Times, September 29, 2007
  * ↑ Celebrity Dirt Peddler Found Dead; Hollywood Rag, October 1, 2007
  