Former Butler Convicted Of Trying To Extort Millions From Anne Bass

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CBSDFW.COM/AP) -- A former butler has been found guilty of charges he tried to extort millions of dollars from philanthropist Anne H. Bass during a 2007 home invasion at her estate.

A federal jury in New Haven found Emanuel Nicolescu guilty of attempted extortion and other charges on its first day of deliberations.

Authorities say three men broke into the house on April 15, 2007, injected Bass and a guest with what they claimed was a deadly virus and refused to provide an antidote unless they turned over $8.5 million. The substance turned out to be harmless.

An attorney for the victims said in court papers they have lived in constant fear that the attackers still at large could harm them again. Bass and the other victim "look forward to justice being done," said a spokesman, Allan Mayer.

The attackers brandished knifes, blindfolded the victims and bound their hands while a 3-year-old child slept in the house. One of the victims saw the man that administered the injection to the other victim wore pale green gloves, according to court documents.

One of the victims told the men Bass did not keep that sum of money in the house and that she would have to contact associates out of state to get the money. At one point, the assailants considered transporting one or both of the victims to New York, according to an arrest affidavit.

Nicolescu's attorney, who did not call any witnesses, says he did not participate in the crime.

Nicolescu had been in charge of the estate's household staff and provided housing on the property, but his employment was terminated months before the home invasion, according to authorities.

After the attack, his DNA was allegedly found in a Jeep that was stolen from the family and taken to New York.

Bass, an ex-wife of Fort Worth billionaire businessman Sid Bass, testified Tuesday she was certain she would die during the crime.

In addition to her Connecticut estate, Bass has homes in Fort Worth and New York City.

Sid and Anne Bass divorced in 1988 — with Anne reportedly receiving a settlement between $200 and $500 million.

That same year Sid wooed and married Mercedes Kellogg, who at the time was still married to Ambassador Francis Kellogg. The two divorced last year after 23 years of marriage.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS Local.  The Associated Press contributed to this report.  All Rights Reserved.)