The latest Carrot Top $500,000 (£373,000) dispute has currently on an explicit recording and contested settlement emails involving singer Brian Evans and comedian Scott Thompson. A 3 September Broward County, Florida, filing accused Evans of linking payment to a proposed public filing, according to reports that reviewed the documents.
The dispute surfaced while Thompson, 61, who performs as Carrot Top, was recovering in a Las Vegas hospital. TMZ reported that he was hospitalised after a suicide attempt on Friday, 18 September. His representative, Jami Schlicher, confirmed his recovery but did not publicly confirm the reported cause.
There is no verified evidence linking Thompson's hospitalisation to the litigation. The two developments occurred close together, but the available record does not establish causation.
Carrot Top Legal Team Calls Email a 'Malicious Threat'
According to the 3 September filing, Evans discussed material stored on a USB drive and a possible court filing. The filing said he referred to $500,000 in 'immediately available funds' for 'resolution of all claims against Scott Thompson....'
The wording is disputed. Thompson's legal team characterised the communication as a threat, while Evans maintains it was legitimate settlement correspondence.
Evans wrote that any press coverage of material placed on a public docket would be foreseeable. 'It is not a threat,' he wrote, adding that he did 'not control the public docket' or 'control the press.'
Thompson's lawyers saw it differently. 'This is not settlement communication,' they wrote, calling the exchange a 'malicious threat' intended to expose Thompson.
The filing further accused Evans of acting 'with intent thereby to extort money under the guise of litigation conduct.' The available record does not show that a court found Evans committed extortion.
Evans has denied threatening to release any recording for money. 'I never threatened - ever - to post any video anywhere in exchange for a settlement,' he told the Daily Mail.
He also described the dispute as 'not the black and white story portrayed.'
The wider litigation predates the 3 September filing. Federal court records show Evans sued Thompson in July over a 2024 settlement agreement. He voluntarily dismissed that case without prejudice on 6 August.
A separate Eleventh Circuit docket refers to an August district court ruling declaring Evans a 'vexatious litigant' and imposing a filing injunction.
Schlicher has also attributed stronger criticism of Evans's filings to previous court rulings. Those additional court quotations are not independently reproduced here.
Carrot Top Recovering After Las Vegas Hospitalisation
Thompson was scheduled to perform at the Luxor Hotel and Casino on Friday, 18 September. That show was cancelled after his hospitalisation, and his Saturday performance was also cancelled.
Schlicher said 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,' she added.
Thompson has headlined at the Luxor since 2005. MGM Resorts announced in 2023 that his residency contract had been extended through 2030.
The comedian is known for his energetic prop-based act and has been a long-running fixture on the Las Vegas Strip. His representative's statement focused firmly on recovery rather than the litigation.
Public support followed news of his hospitalisation. Everybody Loves Raymond actor Brad Garrett posted a photograph with Thompson and Ray Romano on Instagram on Saturday.
'We're ALL thanking our lucky stars that you're ok,' Garrett wrote.
'Whatever it takes we're here for you,' he added. He ended his message with, 'Show yourself grace. We Love you.'
