NY Post Columnist solicits bribe from Clinton billionaire friend.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

Caught "This just in...." over at Huff Po. Delicious little bit of gossip - does anyone think the Post was dying to know about the billionaire or the billionaire's friends? Two meetings all caught on tape.

NY Post Gossip Columnist Solicited $220K From Billionaire For "Protection" Against Unflattering Stories...
NY Daily News | WILLIAM SHERMAN | April 7, 2006 at 09:16 AM

A New York Post Page Six staffer solicited $220,000 from a high-profile billionaire in return for a year's "protection" against inaccurate and unflattering items about him in the gossip page, the Daily News has learned.

In two 90-minute meetings, characterized by a shocking breach of ethics, Jared Paul Stern, a fixture on the city's gossip scene who also edited Page Six The Magazine, asked for a series of payments from Ron Burkle, the managing partner of Yucaipa Cos., a conglomerate with interests in supermarkets, celebrity clothing lines, and media.

from article -

Burkle is plainspoken and patient, letting Stern do most of the talking. At times, however, Burkle seems frustrated at Stern's meandering.

"There are various levels of protection," Stern begins, saying for "level one," Burkle would be a source for Page Six and provide items about his celebrity friends as a way of getting immunity for himself.

"If there are any stories you can throw our way, we can establish you as a source," said Stern, but Burkle refused.

He is a major Democratic Party fund-raiser and is a senior adviser to former President Bill Clinton. Sean (Diddy) Combs, Leonardo DiCaprio, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hillary and Bill Clinton, former Calif. Gov. Gray Davis, former Vice President Al Gore and Bundchen are just a few of his acquaintances.
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/v-echo/story/406794p-344411c.html

*Good grief - typos aren't your friend!

[OzarkDem]

1. The Mob used to do this

in Hollywood, using gossip magazines to blackmail stars and studio bosses.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

2. I thought this would be funny if not so indicative of a Murdoch paper.

Page Six trolling friends of Bill looking for stories. I think you are exactly right - blackmailing people to keep false news stories from appearing looking for bigger fish to fry. Anyone think it is an accident this guy targeted a rich, Democratic supporter? The Mob and the Gestapo uses the same tactics and this is what the "media" has become?

[tanyev]

3. Can you edit your title? I kept waiting to get to the part about

a mail order bride.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

4. Thanks - what a goof! Correction made. n/t