Washington D.C. [USA], Feb 9 (ANI): CEO of Amazon Jeff Bezos on Friday (local time) alleged that he was "extorted and blackmailed" by American tabloid, the National Enquirer, over leaking intimate pictures sent to American news anchor Lauren Sanchez, the former co-host of 'Good Day' show.Bezos added that the threats by the tabloid came after it urged the former to drop an investigation into how the tabloid got an access to the intimate messages, Al Jazeera reported.I’ve written a post about developments with the National Enquirer and its parent company, AMI. You can find it here: https://t.co/G1ykJAPPwy— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) February 7, 2019The CEO further stated that the tabloid asked Bezos and security consultant Gavin de Becker, person in charge of the investigation into leaked messages, to make a "false public statements" and the tabloid’s coverage of him and Sanchez’s relationship was not politically motivated."Rather than capitulate to extortion and blackmail," Bezos said."I've decided to publish exactly what they sent me, despite the personal cost and embarrassment they threaten," the CEO added.Meanwhile, in response to Bezos’ allegations, David Pecker, the head of American Media Inc., controls the National Enquirer, said in a statement on Friday morning that "American Media believes fervently that it acted lawfully in the reporting of the story of Mr. Bezos", CNN reported."Further, at the time of the recent allegations made by Mr. Bezos, it was in good faith negotiations to resolve all matters with him," the company said."Nonetheless, in light of the nature of the allegations published by Mr. Bezos, the Board has convened and determined that it should promptly and thoroughly investigate the claims. Upon completion of that investigation, the Board will take whatever appropriate action is necessary," the statement read.Bezos has supported his "extortion" charge with copies of what according to him were multiple emails sent by the American Media.Earlier in January, Bezos and his wife MacKenzie Bezos announced their divorce after 25 years of marriage, following the leak of romantic texts exchanged between Bezos and Sanchez by the National Enquirer. (ANI)

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