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Bezos Hurls Blackmail Charges at Nat’l Enquirer; Saudi Arabia Denies Role in Case

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Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has accused the National Enquirer of attempted blackmail.

The richest man in the world is alleging that National Enquirer’s parent company, American Media, threatened to blackmail him by releasing what have been described as “embarrassing” photos.

In a long-posted message on the web platform Medium, Bezos claims American Media Inc. insisted he call off investigators trying to determine how the Enquirer obtained his personal text messages for the first piece it published, and what its motive were and were not. The post reads, in part:

“Something unusual happened to me yesterday. Actually, for me it wasn’t just unusual — it was a first. I was made an offer I couldn’t refuse. Or at least that’s what the top people at the National Enquirer thought. I’m glad they thought that, because it emboldened them to put it all in writing. Rather than capitulate to extortion and blackmail, I’ve decided to publish exactly what they sent me, despite the personal cost and embarrassment they threaten.”

It continues, “AMI, the owner of the National Enquirer, led by David Pecker, recently entered into an immunity deal with the Department of Justice related to their role in the so-called “Catch and Kill” process on behalf of President Trump and his election campaign. Mr. Pecker and his company have also been investigated for various actions they’ve taken on behalf of the Saudi Government. And sometimes Mr. Pecker mixes it all together: “After Mr. Trump became president, he rewarded Mr. Pecker’s loyalty with a White House dinner to which the media executive brought a guest with important ties to the royals in Saudi Arabia. At the time, Mr. Pecker was pursuing business there while also hunting for financing for acquisitions…”

As the Wall Street Journal recounted, “Shortly before the original Enquirer story was published, Mr. Bezos announced that he and his wife were divorcing after 25 years of marriage. While they haven’t made public the terms, the split could have implications for Mr. Bezos’s 16% stake in Amazon, which is the core of his net worth of more than $130 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Ms. Bezos, who was instrumental in helping to launch Amazon, could be entitled to half the couple’s wealth depending on where they divorce, according to lawyers.”

American Media, LLC on Friday made the following statement in response to the statement made by Bezos regarding the National Enquirer: “American Media believes fervently that it acted lawfully in the reporting of the story of Mr. Bezos. Further, at the time of the recent allegations made by Mr. Bezos, it was in good faith negotiations to resolve all matters with him. Nonetheless, in light of the nature of the allegations published by Mr. Bezos, the Board has convened and determined that it should promptly and thoroughly investigate the claims. Upon completion of that investigation, the Board will take whatever appropriate action is necessary.”

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