American tabloid paid USD 2 million for Bezos private texts

An American tabloid allegedly paid USD 2 million for leaking the private messages of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, reported The Hill.

The National Enquirer published a report in January which included text messages that were exchanged between Bezos, who was still married at that time, and his secret-girlfriend Lauren Sanchez.

According to the Hill, Lauren's brother, Michael Sanchez, sold the text messages to the tabloid for USD 2 million.

Following the story in the tabloid, Bezos had alleged that he was "extorted and blackmailed" by the National Enquirer; which threatened to leak his intimate pictures and texts sent to Sanchez.

However, American Media Inc., who controls the National Enquirer, denied the allegation and had said, "American Media believes fervently that it acted lawfully in the reporting of the story of Mr Bezos".