THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK -- A woman has been charged with stalking and shaking down New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

Louise Neathway is being arraigned Thursday night in a Manhattan court. Prosecutors say she extorted $6,000 from Cashman, tried to squeeze $15,000 more and engaged in "a long-term effort to control and manipulate" him.

She's also known as Louise Meanwell. Defence lawyers Alan Abramson and Stephen McCarthy say she denies the accusation, and they expect to "obtain a favourable result."

"Mr. Cashman is very grateful that this matter is in the hands of law enforcement," Chris Giglio, a spokesman for the general manager, said in a statement.

The Yankees declined to comment.