[stm]

Extortion or blackmail does not necessarily have to be about money and it's a felony. Defamation of character is also grounds for legal action.

[Dark Skies]

Defamation of character is also grounds for legal action.

But if the truth is told, can it still be defamation of character?

[jec1ny]

"Extortion or blackmail does not necessarily have to be about money and it's a felony. Defamation of character is also grounds for legal action."

This is true. But there must be some clear demand for some quid pro quo in exchange for not making public facts for a case of extortion. As for defamation of character that requires an element of either slander or libel. The courts have over the years set a very high bar for establishing this. Some of the minimum requirements include that the offending party must have stated or published something which they knew to be false at the time it was said or published, that they knew it would cause substantial harm, and that they recklessly said or published said falsehood irregardless. In other words defamation suits will go no where quickly.