Lawyer Found Guilty of Blackmailing Brockovich

April 3 -- An attorney representing the ex-husband of the real-life Erin Brockovich has been convicted of attempted extortion and conspiracy to commit extortion, and now faces up to four years in prison.

John Reiner was found guilty of attempting to blackmail Brockovich, the feisty legal assistant who inspired the blockbuster starring Julia Roberts, and attorney Ed Masry. Reiner; Brockovich's ex-husband, Shawn Brown; and her ex-boyfriend Jorg Halaby were arrested in April of last year for allegedly attempting to extort $310,000 from the now-famous legal duo.

According to The Associated Press, prosecutors dropped the charges against Brown and Halaby without explanation. Reiner is due to be sentenced May 2.

Masry and Brockovich won a $333 million lawsuit against corporate giant Pacific Gas and Electric Co., a case that was the basis for Erin Brockovich, the hit movie that earned Roberts her first Best Actress Oscar last month.