Stamos testifies in trial of 2 accused of extortion

John Stamos testified yesterday that he was "heartbroken" over the separation from his wife six years ago when he first met a woman now charged with conspiring to extort $680,000 from him.

The "Full House" and "ER" star took the stand during the federal trial of Allison Coss and Scott Sippola, who are accused of demanding money from Stamos, saying they had photos of him with cocaine and strippers they could sell to a magazine, The Associated Press reports.

Under questioning by prosecutors, Stamos said he met Coss in Orlando, Fla., in 2004 when he was taken there by friends trying to cheer him up after separating from his wife, actress and supermodel Rebecca Romijn.

"I was very heartbroken at the time," he said.

Stamos said he met Coss at Pleasure Island, a club where patrons must be at least 18. The 46-year-old Stamos said Coss told him she was on "college" spring break.

Stamos said Coss and a friend were among several people who came to his hotel room and stayed for a couple hours.

He described their time together as "just hanging out" and "socializing." He said he later began communicating with Coss via e-mail and described their conversations and "flirty" but "friendly." "It was all very sweet. I considered her a friend," Stamos said.

Defense attorney Sarah Henderson had alleged that Coss met Stamos when she was 17 and that the two had a romantic fling, which his attorney denies.