American Media Inc. Replaces Top Counsel Amid Federal Inquiry
Folio is reporting that American Media, Inc., publisher of The National Enquirer, Us Weekly, and several other celebrity and fitness titles, has appointed a new top lawyer after parting ways with Cameron Stracher, who had served for nearly 12 years as the company’s general counsel, media.
Jon P. Fine will take on the newly created role of deputy general counsel, media on AMI’s legal team and will report directly to executive VP and chief legal officer, Eric Klee, according to reporter Kayleigh Barber.
The New York Post reported there was a stormy encounter at lunch last week between Stracher, a media and libel law specialist, and David Pecker, the company’s embattled CEO. “When they got back from lunch at Cipriani Wall Street, Stracher began clearing out his desk,” according to Post reporter Keith J. Kelly.
A U.S. attorney in New York is looking into a possible payoff Pecker is alleged to have made to a former Playmate who was alleged to have had an affair with Donald Trump. The inquiry will see if the payoff right before the 2016 presidential election constituted an illegal campaign contribution by AMI.
