Well, potentially it does -- at least as how far we in the public "try" these things. And why is that? Because if Garn is a public liar on one element of his past "relationship" with this woman, then that opens the character credibility floodgate where he claimed she "demanded" the $. (Or, it's possible that indeed she demanded $150,000 -- but that he initiated the idea for a cash settlement...so if he initiated the whole idea of a cash settlement, what then?)
None of that changes the elements of the crime of extortion .
Except that given all the circumstances...like the fact of where they met immediately before Garn extended a check of $20,000 to her...somehow, I just don't think this will ever get anywhere near prosecution status.
As far as covering up a crime , likely some form of rape , that looks like anther good guess . Still extortion . He wouldn't have paid if he didn't have something to hide would he ? A religious hypocrite wanting to hide sex with a minor is the kind of thing is what criminal extortionists would call a pat hand . I am sure he will have your prayers . He needs them .
And she -- Garn's 15 yo victim who carried all that into adulthood -- she doesn't need prayers???...(Just the male perpetrators make your intercessory prayer list?)
And you didn't answer the Q: If Maher extorted Garn in front of his wife and Lds bishop in the Lds bishop's office, doesn't that mean that the Lds bishop has covered up a crime that took place in a Mormon facility by not reporting it to the authorities?