Media Matters founder accuses gay ex-lover of blackmailing him for $850K after breakup



Target: David Brock claims his former lover preyed on him because his Media Matters organization has put him in the public eye

David Brock, the founder of the liberal media watchdog organization Media Matters, was blackmailed for $850,000 by his gay ex-lover who threatened to reveal information about the nonprofit group's finances to donors and the IRS, according to dueling lawsuits.



In order to pay the handsome sum, Brock sold a historic $1.5 million home he owned in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, the author claims.

The lovers' quarrel was dug up by Fox News, which as been at war with Brock and Media Matters for years over his criticism of the network's conservative voice.



Media Matters is a liberal organization that rails against the influence of conservative media.



Fox News is its most frequent target.



In a lawsuit, Brock says his former lover of 10 years, William Grey, contacted him three times after their breakup and demanded payment or he would embarrass him to his donors and report him to the IRS.



In May 2010, Brock says his lover sent an e-mail to him and his new partner James Alefantis that read: 'David, You and James pulled this same kind of sick nonsense in 2008 to try to hide your financial malfeasance. Next step is I contact all of your donors and the IRS. OK? Do you understand?

'This is going to stink for you if you do not resolve this now, I assure you.'

Brock has been under fire from Fox News over whether Media Matters, which is closely aligned with Democratic donors and policymakers, should be allowed to keep its nonprofit tax-exempt status -- which prohibits it from directly engaging in partisan politics.



War: The story was broken by Fox News. Chairman Roger Ailes and his news network have been targeted by Brock for years

It's unclear exactly what information Grey was threatening to unveil, however, he seemed to understand that Brock traveled in powerful political circles.



'Please finish this today so I don’t have to waste my time emailing anyone – Biden, Coulter, Carlson, Huffington, Drudge, Ingraham,' he allegedly said in a 2008 e-mail.

He makes reference to Vice President Joe Biden, right-wing pundit Ann Coulter, conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, Huffington Post founder Ariana Huffington, Drudge Report found Matt Druge and conservative talk radio host Laura Ingraham.



When Grey contacted Brock in September 2010, he claims, we went to police in Washington DC and reported that he was being blackmailed.



The allegations became public last January when Grey sued Brock and claimed he had kept $170,000 of his property after the breakup.



The items included furniture, several works of art and an $8,000 Louis Vuitton suit bag.

