The billionaire, the Post and the $220G shakedown

[NorthernSun]

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. .. http://www.nydailynews.com/front/v-echo/story/406794p-344411c.html

Murdock just can't catch a break lately.

[phusion]

1. wow, this is a shocker...

NOT!

[Mabus]

2. Now if they'd go after the other media whores

who profit from their "news coverage" I'd feel a lot better about the MSM. Everyone from Russert to Woodward needs to be called on their whoring and taken down.

[Sadie5]

3. We've known this from day one

It was that no one would do their job in a fair manner. They liked those Repub $$$ for lying to the public.

[Mabus]

6. You know and I know it

but now John Q. Public is finding out.

Now couple this revelations that have come out in the run-up to the Iraq War (ala Judith Miller/Novak/Bob Woodward and the rest of the media whores who will sell out to the highest bidder) and John Q. Public is going to say :wtf: has happened to the media.

[lumpy]

4. US rotten to the core.

Journalistic bribery, hush money, manipulation of truth, obscene profits and perks for CEOs. presidential and congressional crimes, lies, payoffs, obstruction of justice, perjury, political swiftboating, perps, porno, perverts, murder, mayhem, bombing, torture, no bravery, on and on....

[radwriter0555]

5. well burkle IS the guy who got the CA state assembly to make a new law for

him about matters related to privacy and his divorce case.

I do believe it may have been later overturned. I don't care enough to look.

I used to know the guy. First class asshole, even for a democrat. He hires famous celebrities to appear at his son's uber-extravagent birthday parties.

Anthony Keidis, David Spade, Benicio del Toro all got paid MUCHO DINERO to appear at the kid's birthday parties. He hired olympic gymnastic athletes for another party one year, then Tony Hawk another year.

I didn't know you could actually rent top-drawer celebs like that.

The kid is adopted. Talk about hitting the lottery. Too bad his 'dad' is such an ass that the kid never has play dates, never socializes... has no friends. Nice kid... just completely disconnected.