Kevin Tomlinson, the ex-Realtor from South Beach, Florida found guilty of trying to extort money from luxury real estate duo “The Jills” last summer, is headed to jail after all.
On Thursday, Judge Milton Hirsch sentenced Tomlinson to 364 days in jail for violating his probation and social media ban, the Miami Herald first reported.
In June, the one-time agent avoided prison time for an extortion charge after Hirsch sentenced him to two years of house arrest on the condition that he not practice real estate or post anything related to celebrity real estate agents Jill Hertzberg and Jill Eber on social media.
Kevin Tomlinson. Credit: Kevin Tomlinson
But Tomlinson just couldn’t stay away from his computer. Probation officers reported that he failed to pay court costs, left his Miami apartment without permission, and tried to contact Hertzberg and Eber on Facebook.
Prosecutors presented the court with a now-deleted post of a lengthy Vanity Fair article about the case.
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“The truth will be told. Justice will be exacted. Those smiles will be wiped off their greedy faces,” Tomlinson allegedly commented above the post.
Tomlinson’s troubles first began in 2015. After filing a complaint that accused Hertzberg and Eber of hiding properties that had been on the multiple listing service (MLS) for more than six months, Tomlinson demanded $250,000, and then $400,000, from each to not share his finding with the real estate community.
The Jills. Credit: The Jills
“He goes, ‘Listen, sister, you’re going to pay me money because if you don’t, I’m going to ruin your career,’” Hertzberg testified in court.
According to reporters present in court, Tomlinson cried openly and said that he was suffering from psychological problems and a dependence on tranquilizers.
But following numerous administrative difficulties that delayed the case, Hirsch finally sentenced Tomlinson to jail time – and ruled that he will still have to complete the conditionsz of his probation when he gets out.
“I would have imposed more if you’d ask for more,” Hirsch announced.
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