Yahoo News (Reuters) reports here on an investigation of a gossip columnist at a NY newspaper who is alleged to have tried to extort money from an individual in return for not printing a story. Clearly such reprehensible form of conduct would be ethically improper.  And if this extortion did occur then there might be also be legal implications, including criminal ones. But the columnist is saying hold on – –  on Poynter Online – Romenesko here .  He said he is hoping that his paper will "not rush to judgment."

(esp)