The State - News from Aug. 8, 1985

Ella J. Williams of Fresno has been placed on five years’ probation for her part in the 1980 extortion-bombing plot at Harvey’s hotel and casino at Lake Tahoe. Williams was also ordered to perform 1,000 hours of community service and to pay $11,000 to cover court and legal expenses. Williams was the girlfriend of John Birges Sr., who hatched the plot to extort $3 million from Harvey’s. Birges was sentenced to life in prison. A bomb was placed in Harvey’s and a demand was made for $3 million. The bomb exploded during efforts to defuse it, causing about $17 million damage. The extortion money was never paid.