Variety editor Peter Bart sends a memo to shaken-down billionaire Ron Burkle, noting that if Burkle really wanted to be left alone, he would've acted a bit more wisely:

What you should have done was to take the tape to Rupert Murdoch and offer a straightforward deal: You'd turn over the evidence to him and remain silent about the incident, provided Murdoch guarantee that your name would never reappear in the gossip pages. The ethics-in-media types would wince at such a suggestion, but Murdoch is a dealmaker, Ron. He would understand a proposal like that.

You can be sure Page Six wishes Burkle had taken that path. How many freelancers would have been saved? With what grace might Richard Johnson have been wed? And to what exotic location might those unscrutinized junkets take our gossips next?

Is Market Mogul Left Holding the Bag? [Variety]
Earlier: Gawker's Coverage of Payola Six

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