because they pursue the president. and so there are questions not only about whether a foreign government may have hacked bezos phone and by the way, the saudi intel services are very capable of doing it and have done this kind of thing before to u.s. corporate ceo s. but there s even another layer to this which does the white house have any knowledge of either the kingdom or ami trying to go after bezos on the president s behalf. there s much more to this story. it s very disturbing. it involves trying to silence a free press. it involves possible conspiracy theories of foreign powers and maybe the white house, lots of investigation to do here. that ladies and gentlemen is why we refer to frank as the nicest scariest guy we get to talk to with regularity around here. we probably burdened our friday night audience with enough before sending them off to the weekend but with our thanks for
just and by the way, in a normal world, this would be enough of a story that a tabloid is essentially extorting the head of the washington post. but there s more. there s more to this, because we don t live in a normal world. we live in a world where people are now wondering whether the kingdom of saudi arabia is somehow working in concert with ami and by the way, there s plenty of evidence of financial relationships, of quid pro quos between the kingdom and ami. a lavish glossy magazine being published by ami featuring the crown prince and how great the saudi kingdom is, funding being sought allegedly by ami from saudi. and then the phrase, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. saudi doesn t like the post, because they are pursuing the khashoggi story. and ami doesn t like the post
in a shocking statement yesterday, bezos accused american media of extortion and blackmail. he said ami threatened to publish embarrassing photos unless he made a if false statement to the press that we have no none or basis for suggesting that ami s coverage was politically motivated or influenced by political forces. more on the khashoggi saudi arabia piece of the puzzle later at the heart of the southern district of new york inquiry. and remember that s really the justice department northern branch in new york is a cooperation agreement, signed by ami back in september. in it, ami agreed to taking part in a so-called catch and kill scheme to bury a story about a former playboy model who had an affair with trump in 2006. that amounted to an illegal campaign contribution.
that s the same charge michael cohen pleaded guilty to. and he s about to serve time in prison for it. according to the deal, should ami commit any crime subsequent to the date of this agreement, ami shall thereafter be subject to prosecution for any criminal violation of which this u.s. attorney s office has knowledge. in a statement, ami responded, american media believes fervently that it acted lawfully in the reporting of the story of mr. bezos. nonetheless in light of the nature of the allegations pub d accomplished by mr. bezos, they should investigate the claims. we have asked cynthia to remain with us for a hot second while we talk about this story. dual question for you. could you have charged this case for extortion, blackmail against ami, absent the cooperation agreement, in the clear and do you see a charge in light of the cooperation agreement?
with us for a hot second while we talk about this story. dual question for you. could you have charged this case for extortion, blackmail against ami, absent the cooperation agreement, in the clear and do you see a charge in light of the cooperation agreement? that s probably not just a dual question. sorry about that. first it looks like there s possibly an extortion charge, but it s complicated by the agreement which says not only can you not commit any other crimes, but when we ask you questions, you have to answer them. and when we ask you for documents, you have to give them. when we tell you to come to a meeting, you have to be there. and if this whole thing blows up, everything you told us is still going to be admissible. they re in a big heap of trouble at ami with this agreement.