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In this clip from the latest episode of the CAFE Insider podcast, Preet and his co-host Anne Milgram discuss whether American Media, Inc.’s threat to publish Jeff Bezos’ intimate texts and photos constitutes as extortion.

To listen to the full episode, become a member of CAFE Insider at CAFE.com/insider

Supplemental materials and references made in the episode:

Jeff Bezos’ post in Medium, “No thank you, Mr. Pecker”

Bezos’ hired investigator, Gavin De Becker, comments on AMI’s possible “political motive” to leak.

The extortion statute, 18 U.S.C. 875(d)

The September 2018 non-prosecution agreement between American Media, Inc. (AMI) and SDNY.

An interview on ABC’s “This Week” with Elkan Abramowitz, the attorney representing AMI CEO David Pecker. Transcript here.

Jeffrey Toobin’s analysis in the New Yorker of Gawker’s collapse and its implications for the First Amendment.

The Daily Beast article reporting that Michael Sanchez, the brother of Bezos’ mistress, Lauren Sanchez, gave the couple’s intimate texts to the National Enquirer.

Preet and Anne also discuss Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, the House Intelligence Committee’s new expansive investigation into Russia and Trump’s financial dealings, and a clue about “the Heart” of Mueller’s investigation revealed in Paul Manafort’s latest hearing.

To listen to the full episode, become a member of CAFE Insider at CAFE.com/insider

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