Should Blackmail Be Refundable?

[Deleted]

I know this sounds like it should belong on the politics board, but it really is a money question when you think about it.

John Edwards paid Rielle Hunter about a $1,000,000 dollars in hush money. She not only didn't stay hushed, but she is writing a tell-all book.

DH said it was an advance on child support. I don't think so. He paid her for a specific service (staying quiet) and she didn't do that.

I think he deserves a refund. It also should remind everyone not to allow themselves to be blackmailed.

[Peace Of Mind]

LOL! I was going to ask you what you were up to. Good point. Did he have a signed contract? If not. No. He can't be trusted nor can she. They deserve one another.

[mollyanna58]

John Edwards paid Rielle Hunter about a $1,000,000 dollars in hush money. She not only didn't stay hushed, but she is writing a tell-all book.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maybe he can sue her for a percentage of her book profits. After all, it is only because of her affair with Edwards that anyone would buy the book.

[zibazinski]

I can't even I imagine anyone admitting they bought the book, let alone read it.

[TheOtherMe]

Jun 2, 2012 9:53:17 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

I can't even I imagine anyone admitting they bought the book, let alone read it.

I'm with you.

I find both of them despicable.

[Mardi Gras Audrey]

I think blackmail can be refundable but only if it comes through an "official" channel, such as a court settlement. Star or the National Enquirer had a report a few months ago about how Tiger Woods' blackmail money to Rachel Uchitel was being refunded because she aired the dirty laundry on Celebrity rehab.

As far as John Edwards and Rielle Hunter/Lisa Druck, I think that was more unofficial blackmail. John probably doesn't want to pursue getting the $$ back because it wasn't his $$ to begin with (Was Fred Baron and Bunny Mellon's money). Rielle doesn't care either way because she is a soul-less whore who's only out for herself (Her comments about Elizabeth Edwards were totally over the top nd inappropriate). These two are both the worst form of human trash and should be sequestered from the rest of humanity. I feel sorry for his children by Elizabeth and their daughter. Those kids deserve a lot better and aren't going to get it from either of those two. I think the oldest daughter, Cate?, should take all three of her younger siblings and get them away from that trash of parenting.

[8 Bit WWBG]

This whole situation fascinates me on so many levels.

Lets say you are the guy being asked to claim paternity to keep your Presidential candidate boss safe. Said boss is also an extremely accomplished trial attorney who is nationally famous, and has the support of wealthy and powerful people. These people probably also have a lot of money and maybe their reputations invested in the candidate so they want him to succeed. If he fails because of the scandal, they could escape unscathed, or they could go down too.

Question 1: are you in a position to make demands? Does being in possession of such a secret mean you call the shots, or does he "ask" you as a courtesy when you both know that if you don't acquiesce, you'll have an "accident".

Question 2: lets say you did successfully demand some princely allowance or compensation. I assume you do so knowing there is a huge chance it will come to light somehow anyway. Could you be found guilty of blackmail? Regardless of what the truth is, Edwards would probably lie and say he was extorted by you. Since fathering a child out of wedlock is apparently "morally wrong" but not "legally wrong" its not like you'd have that leverage.

How do you even document this, because you know if you don't have some kind of proof, you'll disappear. Do you secretly record the conversation? He probably wouldn't sign something.

Then, if you do manage to have solid evidence, you probably have to make copies and share it with people under a "if anything ever happens to me, release this to the press" deal.

Mindboggling...

[Deleted]

WWBG, the topic fascinates me as well (which is why I started the thread). It is all about money and its power.

Bunny knew the $1,000,000 she donated wasn't for campaign financing. It was way above the limit. So she knew she was doing something "off the record." With a politician, that means something that won't be able to withstand the bright lights of the news media.

Edwards and Hunter were immoral, but what about Young? That was the question that you were raising, WWBG. I don't think he would have risked an accident, but I do imagine his career with Edwards was over if he hadn't acquiesced. And I am equally sure that he was fed info in increments to make sure that he was going to acquiesce.

However, going back to my original question, I do think Edwards deserves a refund. I'm glad Tiger got one when hismistress spilled all. There should be honor even among thieves, liars, and politicans.

[Mardi Gras Audrey]

Jun 2, 2012 19:18:13 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

However, going back to my original question, I do think Edwards deserves a refund. I'm glad Tiger got one when hismistress spilled all. There should be honor even among thieves, liars, and politicans.

LOL Young knew what was going on the whole time... he even helped with the money laundering by having the checks made out and cashed by his wife (using her maiden name). What doesn't seem to be clear is if Rielle knew the amount of $$ that was provided for her care. I would bet she didn't know the true amount; she just knew that "her man" was paying to take care of her. I'll bet if she knew the real amount she would have been even more bitchy and demanding.

So, it looks like most of the $$ went to the Youngs. If that is where it all went, should they have to pay the donors back? Andrew Young did write a book about it so he certainly didn't stay "hushed". It looks like he made the money in exchange for providing the "service" of keeping the mistress hidden. I wonder if he claimed that on his tax returns for the respective time it happened. If not, John Edwards should report his butt to the IRS for tax fraud (You're supposed to declare ALL income, even that gotten through illegal means). If he didn't claim it as income and Mellon/Baron didn't file gift returns on it (I'm guessing they didn't), then someone owes a nice explanation to the IRS (It was either income for services or a gift, either way the IRS should have been notified about it).

[alabamagal]

I think the whole thing is despicable. But as far as it being hush money to Rielle Hunter, I didn't think she was the one who came out with the story. Someone else outed the whole thing.

I also wondered about the whole "gift tax" thing. Seems like now they should be able to get Hunter or Edwards or Bunny Mellon for tax fraud.

[The J]

Jun 2, 2012 14:22:05 GMT -5 8 Bit WWBG said:

This whole situation fascinates me on so many levels.

Lets say you are the guy being asked to claim paternity to keep your Presidential candidate boss safe. Said boss is also an extremely accomplished trial attorney who is nationally famous, and has the support of wealthy and powerful people. These people probably also have a lot of money and maybe their reputations invested in the candidate so they want him to succeed. If he fails because of the scandal, they could escape unscathed, or they could go down too.

Question 1: are you in a position to make demands? Does being in possession of such a secret mean you call the shots, or does he "ask" you as a courtesy when you both know that if you don't acquiesce, you'll have an "accident".

Question 2: lets say you did successfully demand some princely allowance or compensation. I assume you do so knowing there is a huge chance it will come to light somehow anyway. Could you be found guilty of blackmail? Regardless of what the truth is, Edwards would probably lie and say he was extorted by you. Since fathering a child out of wedlock is apparently "morally wrong" but not "legally wrong" its not like you'd have that leverage.

How do you even document this, because you know if you don't have some kind of proof, you'll disappear. Do you secretly record the conversation? He probably wouldn't sign something.

Then, if you do manage to have solid evidence, you probably have to make copies and share it with people under a "if anything ever happens to me, release this to the press" deal.

Mindboggling...

If you're being asked to provide the initial service, and you negotiate compensation for that, it is unlikely to be considered blackmail. If, afterwards, you say "give me more money or I'll spill the beans", that is going to be blackmail.

[Deleted]

How did this guy approach this with his wife:

Hey hon, I am going to announce to the world that I cheated on you with this woman and she is pregnant but it is not true.

You will be publicly humiliated but don't worry because it is not true. And remember how we will get $$$$ at the end and the person that is the actual father may be president.

I mean seriously: how did he approach his wife? I would buy his book just to find out.

[Mardi Gras Audrey]

Jun 3, 2012 13:58:29 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

How did this guy approach this with his wife:

Hey hon, I am going to announce to the world that I cheated on you with this woman and she is pregnant but it is not true.

You will be publicly humiliated but don't worry because it is not true. And remember how we will get $$$$ at the end and the person that is the actual father may be president.

I mean seriously: how did he approach his wife? I would buy his book just to find out.

Right? Not to mention, "Oh hon, I also need you to launder the money. Oh, and take care of this crazy broad when I move her in with us and our children. I hope you and the kids don't mind catering to the every whim of a sociopath... But, hey, it's all right, I will get a good job when my boss ends up as President".

I'm all for supporting your spouse's career ambitions but there is a line and I think that is pretty far over it..

[973beachbum]

Jun 2, 2012 9:51:44 GMT -5 mollyanna58 said:

John Edwards paid Rielle Hunter about a $1,000,000 dollars in hush money. She not only didn't stay hushed, but she is writing a tell-all book.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maybe he can sue her for a percentage of her book profits. After all, it is only because of her affair with Edwards that anyone would buy the book.

since 80% of that money didn't go to her but the Youngs shouldn't he sue them instead?

[Opti]

Jun 3, 2012 13:58:29 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

How did this guy approach this with his wife:

Hey hon, I am going to announce to the world that I cheated on you with this woman and she is pregnant but it is not true.

You will be publicly humiliated but don't worry because it is not true. And remember how we will get $$$$ at the end and the person that is the actual father may be president.

I mean seriously: how did he approach his wife? I would buy his book just to find out.

If they were partners I think it would be easy.

Honey, my boss is screwing around on his wife and I have the choice of taking the fall for it with some monetary compensation or my career will go down the toliet. What do you think I should do?