Ex-pal admits extorting Pa. Campbell Soup heiress

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A longtime friend to a Campbell Soup heiress admits she tried to extort the Pennsylvania billionaire in an email titled “When the Soup Boils.”

Agnes O’Brien pleaded guilty Tuesday to sending extortionist threats to Mary Alice Dorrance Malone. She’ll get six years’ probation as part of the plea.

U.S. prosecutors say O’Brien threatened to write a tell-all book about Malone and wanted $250,000 a year to keep quiet.

Defense lawyer Michael Mustokoff says O’Brien had worked for Malone for 25 years, toiling as a cook, traveling companion and confidante. He says she was upset after being summarily dismissed in 2009.

Malone is the granddaughter of Campbell Soup founder John T. Dorrance. Forbes magazine estimates her net worth at $2.2 billion, making her one of the country’s wealthiest women.