My guess is it's just horrible grammar by a horrible local reporterette. Joran probably solicited money from someone in BHM in exchange for the information on the girl's body. That's what they should have said. Under federal law, that would fall under the extortion statute, perhaps a few others as well.
I figured that after re-reading a few times.
Wow, the state of grammar and journalism these days!
Agree...awful grammer.