Carrot Top was allegedly told to pay $500,000 to singer Brian Evans or face the release of a sexually explicit recording, according to a claim made by the comedian’s lawyer shortly before his reported suicide attempt.
The 61-year-old comedian, whose legal name is Scott Thompson, was hospitalized Friday after attempting to take his own life just hours before he was due to perform in Las Vegas. Police were later seen at his home on Saturday while he remained hospitalized.
In a September 3 filing obtained by Our News Outlet, Thompson’s attorney alleged that Evans demanded $500,000 and threatened to place sexually explicit material involving the comedian on a USB drive before submitting it to a court’s legal docket.
An email Evans sent to Thompson’s attorney did not explain the nature of the recording. Evans also maintained that his message did not constitute a threat.
“Given the existing posture of the case and the coverage already in print, I expect the press will report the motion and will use its own imagination about what the USB is,” Evans wrote.
He added: “That is a foreseeable fact about third-party reporting of a public docket. It is not a threat.”
Carrot Top, 61, was allegedly asked to pay $500,000 by singer Brian Evans or risk having a sexually explicit recording released shortly before his reported suicide attempt; pictured in Las Vegas in March
The comedian, whose legal name is Scott Thompson, was hospitalized Friday after attempting to take his own life hours before a scheduled Las Vegas performance; pictured in 2007
Evans said he did “not control the public docket” or “control the press,” according to the email.
He then said the $500,000 had to be provided in “immediately available funds” to secure the “resolution of all claims against Scott Thompson….”
The documents reviewed by Our News Outlet do not make clear whether the request was a demand or a genuine settlement proposal.
Thompson’s legal team responded by characterizing Evans’s communication as a “malicious threat” intended to expose the comedian.
“This is not settlement communication,” the attorneys wrote.
“On its face it is a malicious threat to expose Thompson to disgrace, and to expose a secret affecting him, with intent thereby to extort money under the guise of litigation conduct.”
Jami Schlicher, a representative for Thompson, told Daily Mail in a statement: “A federal court recently declared Mr. Evans a ‘vexatious litigant’ and described his filings as ‘serial’ and ‘spurious.’”
“In dismissing one of his cases with prejudice, the court went even further, stating: ‘It appears this entire case is designed to harass Defendants.’ The court’s findings and Mr. Evans’s litigation record speak for themselves.”
Thompson’s legal team accused Evans of making a “malicious threat” designed to “expose” the comedian; pictured in 1994
Thompson representative Jami Schlicher said a federal court had labeled Evans a “vexatious litigant” and his filings “serial” and “spurious”; Thompson pictured in Las Vegas in 2025
Schlicher added that Thompson “is currently recovering, surrounded by his family and those closest to him.”
“His focus is on his health and recovery, and we ask that his privacy be respected at this time.”
Evans, who is representing himself, told Our News Outlet, ‘I never threatened – ever – to post any video anywhere in exchange for a settlement.’
He also said that it is ‘not the black and white story portrayed.’
Following Thompson’s hospitalization, fans and other celebrities such as Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett shared a touching tribute on social media on Saturday.
He uploaded an Instagram photo as he posed with the comedian as well as former co-star Ray Romano.
‘Oh my beautiful, talented friend @carrottoplive. We’re ALL thanking our lucky stars that you’re ok,’ the actor penned in the caption.
‘Please take this time to remember how appreciated and loved you are by so many. (Except Ray. It’s a long story, just trust me.) We’re here for you. We need you okay. YOU need you okay.’
Garrett added, ‘Whatever it takes we’re here for you. You’re getting a second chance for a reason. Use it wisely. We need folks like you around. Show yourself grace. We Love you.’
Schlicher added that Thompson ‘is currently recovering, surrounded by his family and those closest to him’; seen in 2019
Following Thompson’s hospitalization, fans and other celebrities such as Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett shared a touching tribute on social media on Saturday
‘Oh my beautiful, talented friend @carrottoplive. We’re ALL thanking our lucky stars that you’re ok,’ the actor penned in the caption
Also on Saturday, police were seen arriving at Carrot Top’s Las Vegas home, following the comedian’s reported suicide attempt the previous day.
Thompson tried to take his own life on Friday just hours before a scheduled comedy show at Las Vegas’ Luxor Hotel and Casino, TMZ reported.
The incident is said to have taken place in ‘the Las Vegas area’ and Thompson was rushed to a nearby hospital, sources claimed. His performance that evening was subsequently canceled.
On Saturday, an eyewitness observed three police cars parked outside Thompson’s Las Vegas residence and provided photos of them to TMZ.
It was claimed shortly thereafter that Thompson’s scheduled show at the Luxor on Saturday night has also been called off, as he remains in the hospital, sources said.
Thompson’s latest social media post was shared on Thursday, and promoted his scheduled Friday show.
On Saturday, an eyewitness observed three police cars parked outside Thompson’s Las Vegas residence and provided photos of them to TMZ; seen in 2024 in Las Vegas
He posted a 2018 poster of himself posing against an orange utility terrain vehicle and added the caption, ‘Just your average Thursday commute to the Luxor. TBT.’
Thompson, known for his high-energy prop routines, rose to prominence in the 90s.
Nearly one year ago, in November 2025, he sparked concern from fans when he was spotted looking disheveled while at a Las Vegas grocery store.
An insider later commented to Our News Outlet, ‘He didn’t ever think he was going to be photographed shopping, so he let his guard down – [he was] not in any makeup or anything.’
In a 2022 interview with Metal Life Magazine, Thompson spoke about his clean lifestyle.
He insisted, ‘I’m completely sober. I don’t smoke marijuana and I never have. I don’t think I have been drunk since high school, literally’; seen in 2001
He insisted, ‘I’m completely sober. I don’t smoke marijuana and I never have. I don’t think I have been drunk since high school, literally.
‘I have friends like Gene Simmons, he’s never had a drop of booze – zero. I’m not that pure. I definitely have a little Crown on the rocks right before a show.’
After a show, he said he comes home, watches TV and has a ‘glass of red wine.’
‘I’m definitely not the drug guy. I’m actually more of a nerd than anything else,’ he told the outlet.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org
