Sessa von Richthofen and Richard Johnson
Posted on 04/08/2006 9:10:01 AM PDT by bad company
By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON, ALLISON HOPE WEINER and WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM The New York Post is cooperating with a federal investigation into whether a longtime contributor for the Page Six gossip column — the avidly read daily log of wrongdoing, double-dealing and sexual indiscretions by celebrities both minor and major — tried to extort money from a California billionaire, according to a spokesman for the newspaper. Several people involved in the investigation said the reporter, Jared Paul Stern, had been captured on a video recording demanding a $100,000 payment and a monthly stipend of $10,000 from Ronald W. Burkle in return for keeping negative information about him out of the paper. Mr. Stern was suspended Thursday pending the outcome of the investigation, and could be dismissed, according to Howard Rubenstein, the spokesman. But while the accusations against Mr. Stern are serious, it is the specter — raised by at least three people who say they know what is on the tapes — that Mr. Stern implicated several celebrities and New York power figures in an undisclosed, symbiotic relationship with Page Six that prompted an extraordinary day of full-throated and at times gleeful gossip among those who love, hate and avidly read the column. Those who say they know what is on the tape said Mr. Stern named Harvey Weinstein, the co-founder of Miramax films, and Ronald O. Perelman, the chairman of Revlon, as being among those who have had their coverage on the page finessed. Through a spokesman, Mr. Weinstein flatly denied any improper relationship with the column and its main editor, Richard Johnson. Mr. Perelman's company once hired the fiancée of Mr. Johnson, Sessa von Richthofen, whom he is marrying today, as an administrative assistant.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
No excuses for this conduct, but there are two simple reasons why the NY Daily News and the NY Times are jumping on this story.
First, the New York Post is a dangerous competitor, and anything they can do to weaken it is most welcome.
Second, Page Six sometimes is quoted here in FR, because they don't hesitate to undermine famous liberals and the snotty elite of New York City. Those are the sorts of fashionable people who subscribe to The New York Times.
Ron Burkle,, major democRatic donor and billionaire?
The one who is buying legislation in California to keep his financial records from being released for public viewing or even form viewing with portions redacted therefrom... even after courts ruled otherwise earlier.
Sessa von Richthofen and Richard Johnson
ping
Ping! There might be some job openings at Page Six soon. We need to apply!!! :-D
Why pay extortion when you can buy your own newspaper chain?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/04/07/entertainment/e082047D17.DTL
Jared Paul Stern, who worked freelance for the newspaper's Page Six column, is suspected of demanding $100,000 and an annual $10,000 stipend from Ron Burkle in exchange for not writing negative stories about him, the Post said.
(snip)
Burkle, one of the world's richest men, has an estimated personal wealth of more than $2 billion. He has given millions of dollars to political causes, including more than $200,000 to Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his campaigns.
Burkle in February joined forces with union workers at Knight Ridder Inc. newspapers in an effort to buy a group of 12 papers that The McClatchy Co. plans to sell as part of its acquisition of the company. Burkle's company, Los Angeles-based The Yucaipa Cos. LLC, teamed with the Newspaper Guild-Communications Workers of America as part of the effort.
Yucaipa also is known for its investments in supermarkets, including Food4Less, Dominick's, Ralphs Grocery Co., Smith's Food & Drug Stores and Fred Meyer.
Oh please, why is this news? This kind of BS has been going on for years. It`s why all these idiots get "famous" for doing absolutely nothing. Paris Hilton for example who was on page six almost every single day a few years ago "Paris went to this club, Paris did this, Paris did that.." Then this whole thing with the sex video...To this day I`m still trying to figure out what that girl does besides spend money and get laid. Then like they said you got Ron Perelman, fat Harvey or Graydon Carter with his Bozo hair who is on there once a week. It`s all self promo BS like those informercials on TV posing as "biographys".
Oh, joy ... I'll update my resume. :oD
Ron Burkle was a huge Clintonite and I recall Bill Clinton was very close with him after the presidency. They did “business” together, i.e., Burkle was Bill Clinton’s financial sponsor. Then Big Bill got wind of something that was too sordid even for the Clintons, because he drew back from Burkle and kept his distance after that.....
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