On the same day his daughter Mallory Edens represented the Milwaukee Bucks at the NBA Draft Lottery, news broke that Wes Edens was the target of a staggering $1 billion blackmail scheme. The Wall Street Journal reported that a Chinese woman, Changli “Sophia” Luo, allegedly tried to extort the billionaire owner of the Bucks and founder of Fortress Investment Group.
According to the report, Luo contacted Edens in 2022, just a year after his divorce. The two developed a correspondence, eventually meeting in New York City where they had sex at her apartment. That encounter quickly spiraled into an alleged extortion plot.
Prosecutors say Luo threatened to release videos and photos of Edens having sex unless he paid her over $1 billion. She allegedly reached out to his family members, warned she would approach investors, and vowed to destroy him. The 46-year-old Luo was indicted last year on four counts, including blackmail and destruction of records. She has pleaded not guilty and is free on a $500,000 bond under home detention, with a trial scheduled later this year.
Edens, 64, has not been publicly named as the victim in the case until now. A spokesman confirmed to the Journal that Edens is the individual identified as “Victim-1” in legal documents. The news comes as the Edens family has a major spotlight on them, with Mallory Edens representing the Bucks at the draft lottery.
She previously represented the team in 2014, when the Bucks landed the No. 2 overall pick. This year, the team is hoping for a top-four selection in a loaded 2026 draft class. Mallory has been making headlines recently, including opening up about the pain behind her viral draft lottery moment and turning heads with a stunning swimsuit snap ahead of the lottery.
The blackmail case adds a dark layer to what should be a celebratory week for the Bucks organization. Edens, who co-owns the team, has kept a relatively low profile amid the legal proceedings. Luo’s alleged threats, however, were persistent and aggressive, according to prosecutors, extending over months and targeting Edens personally and professionally.
The case is set to go to trial later this year, and it remains to be seen how it will affect Edens’ public role with the Bucks. For now, the team is focused on the draft lottery, and Mallory Edens continues to be a visible and beloved figure for the franchise.
