Blackmail

2 journalists charged in Moroccan king blackmail claim trap

Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet are accused of demanding 3 million euros ($3.4 million) in exchange for not publishing a compromising new book about Mohammed VI. They were arrested Thursday in a sting operation.

The two are known for their critical writings about the king. The case has drawn widespread attention in Morocco, where the monarchy is considered above criticism.

2 French journalists accused of blackmailing Morocco's king

The case has received blanket coverage in Morocco and been held up as a clear example of the perfidy of those who would seek to criticize the monarchy — which is considered above criticism.

The Paris prosecutor's office said the two, Eric Laurent and Catherine Graciet, remained in detention Friday. Their lawyers have not spoken publicly about the matter.

Indiana mayor charged with paying for sex with man

Richard Fledderman, the three-term mayor of Batesville, paid Randy Wigle-Stevens for sex in June, state police spokesman Sgt. Stephen Wheeles said in a statement Tuesday.

Wigle-Stevens, 42, did not tell Fledderman that he has HIV before they had sex and later threatened to go public with details of their encounter unless the mayor paid him extra money, Wheeles said.