In the blog post published on Medium, Bezos alleged that AMI threatened to release more compromising photos of him if he didn't stop his probe into how the National Enquirer obtained private text messages between him and his girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez.
A former senior editor for the National Enquirer said Friday that he believes the tabloid's story on Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' infidelity was a way for the publishing company's chief executive to make amends with President Trump. In it, AMI proposed a public acknowledgment from Bezos and de Becker that "they have no knowledge or basis for suggesting that (AMI's) coverage was politically motivated or influenced by political forces".
Mr Bezos said his ownership of the Washington Post was a "complexifier" for him because he had made enemies of "certain powerful people", including President Donald Trump, who is a friend of AMI's boss David Pecker. 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.
The newspaper's owner AMI reached the deal past year after paying $150,000 to silence Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model who had allegedly had an affair with Donald Trump.
Mr Bezos and his wife announced last month that they were divorcing after 25 years of marriage.
Representatives for Chatham, Cooperman, AMI and the White House didn't immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. "I prefer to stand up, roll this log over, and see what crawls out", Bezos says. In a blockbuster blog post titled "No thank you, Mr. Pecker", Bezos on Thursday evening accused Pecker of an "extortion and blackmail" attempt. AMI has entered into a non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in NY and is cooperating in the investigation into its payment to former Playboy model Karen McDougal to suppress a story about her claimed affair with Trump.
Bezos said he chose to publish the emails sent to his team "rather than capitulate to extortion and blackmail, " despite the "personal cost and embarrassment they threaten". "President Trump is one of those people, obvious by his many tweets".
The U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan declined to comment.
AMI, according to Bezos, had alerted him that the Enquirer had a collection of racy photos of him and Sanchez.
That prompted Bezos to launch an investigation into the Enquirer, and how it was able to obtain such intimate material.
In his Medium post, Bezos pointed to AMI and Pecker's previous cooperation with Trump - including payments made to suppress negative stories, now under investigation by federal prosecutors.
Several days ago, someone at AMI told Bezos' team that the company's CEO, David Pecker, was "apoplectic" about the investigation, Bezos said.
A long-simmering feud between Donald Trump and Jeff Bezos took a freaky turn after the multibillionaire accused allies of the president of brazenly trying to extort him. But he also threatens to publish the photos if Bezos and his associates breach the agreement.
Farrow has written extensively about AMI's "catch and kill" practice, in which the publisher buys stories in order to bury them, and how such measures benefited Pecker's pal, Donald Trump, in the 2016 presidential campaign. He also said he had recommended his sister fire Mr de Becker. He did, however, post something after the initial National Enquirer story posted last month, calling Bezos "Jeff Bozo" and arguing that the tabloid was a more accurate source of news than the Washington Post.
Recommended:
-
An Incredible Video Captures Meghan Markle Gasping As Her Baby Kicks
She added, "It was raining and muddy outside, so the dogs got all dirty, and she's wiping them off with towels". A source told the magazine: 'Meg and Harry were still so focused on getting [Thomas Markle] to London.Bulls Acquire Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Waive Carmelo Anthony
The Chicago Bulls have waived forward Carmelo Anthony , clearing the way for the 10-time All-Star to become a free agent. At the time, a league source told ESPN he would not play a game with Chicago, but would instead be waived at some point.Belichick makes experience count to claim sixth Super Bowl title
The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook has the Chiefs as 6-1 favorites to win Super Bowl LIV. They picked off Unitas twice and held the Colts to 11 first downs and 181 total yards. -
Vaccinations skyrocket in 'anti-vaxxer' county amid measles outbreak
This lead to distrust in vaccinations after concerns were made public by the manufacturers regarding its potential side effects. However, it can not make us blind to the people and places that are still being missed.Respawn Entertainment to Deliver a 'New Twist' on Titanfall Later This Year
We knew it would be risky to take the franchise in this direction, to go free to play, and do a surprise launch. Even if there is, though, it's hard to envision an all-new Titanfall game on the near horizon.The ridiculous reason Meghan Markle always has to stand behind Kate Middleton
There are automated tools which help police the very inappropriate comments getting through, but there is also manual moderation. In the latest episode of The Windsors, we explore the rise of one of the Royal Family's most divisive figures, Prince Philip. -
Measles case confirmed in Central Texas
Residents born prior to 1957 are considered immune to measles but those born in 1957 or after should verify vaccination history. A boy in Galveston County , who is between one and two years old, was tested on January 28 and confirmed to have measles.Kristaps Porzingis: Everybody has welcomed me with open arms
Still, the trade seemingly came out of nowhere after a meeting between Knicks brass and Porzingis and his agent on Thursday. The 2017 ninth overall pick averaged 12.9 points per contest on 44 percent shooting in 32 games with the Mavs this season.Andrew Whitworth gets a little morbid following Super Bowl loss
To watch the game is the compromise my beliefs. "There is no other way to say it, but I got out coached", the 33-year-old McVay said . -
Anthony Davis likes Lakers' final trade offer for him (on Instagram, anyway)
They also appear hopeful that the Celtics would include Tatum in a deal for Davis, which could be true, but may not result. New Orleans learned Monday of Davis' extended list of teams that he'd be willing to stay with long-term upon a trade.Democrats and White House Remain Deeply Divided Over Border Wall
Yet, a senior administration official told reporters to expect a "traditional" address from a president who is anything but traditional.Bud Light Super Bowl Ad Ignites Controversy Over Corn
Ross, who farms near Underwood in western Iowa, said he was disappointed in what he called a misleading commercial. Bud Light had a second commercial during the Super Bowl focusing on the fact that they don't use corn syrup .