Pay Off: Former Publishing Exec Beats Rupert Murdoch

Former book publishing exec Judith Regan found a way to get back on top of both her former lover and employer in one move. Nope, it’s not some kinky position from the Kama Sutra, it’s just good old-fashioned extortion. After being fired from News Corp in December 2006, the woman responsible for giving porn star Jenna Jameson a book deal ended her wrongful termination lawsuit for about four times her initial $6 million settlement offer from Rupert Murdoch. How did she do it?! By threatening to expose a confidential phone convo she had with Giuliani’s goon and her ex-main squeeze Bernie Kerik that could damage the Republican’s Presidential bid. After bad break-ups with both Kerik and her boss man (who publicly accused her of being anti-Semitic), she’s managed to clear her name and break their bank account. You go girl! Blackmail may be bad, but karma’s a real bitch named Judith Regan. [Alley Insider]