Rather than take a hit to his public image , Anderson shelled out $ 100,000 in hush money to his blackmailer , Richard John Gordon , to keep the story out of the tabloids . There have been some unsuccessful attempts to blackmail celebrities . Elvis was a victim in an attempted extortion plan for $ 40 million in 2003 . A photographer tried to blackmail Bill Cosby with explicit photos of her in 1959 . Bill Cosby Presely was reportedly a victim in blackmail in 1959 with pictures , tapes .
There have been some unsuccessful attempts to blackmail celebrities . Elvis was a victim in an attempted extortion plan for $ 40 million in 2003 . A photographer tried to blackmail Bill Cosby with explicit photos of her in 1959 . Bill Cosby Presely was reportedly a victim in blackmail in 1959 with pictures , tapes .