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Extortion is the crime of obtaining money or property by threat to a victim's property or loved ones, intimidation, or false claim of a right.

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NEW YORK -- The former president of ESPN who abruptly resigned last year made a startling admission in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, revealing he stepped down because someone he bought cocaine from tried to extort him. John Skipper left the network in December to seek treatment for what he said was a "substance addiction."

Skipper's sudden departure on Dec. 18, 2017, shocked the sports and media worlds. The 62-year-old worked for the organization for 27 years, becoming president of ESPN in January 2012.

"I did get some therapy. I did go through treatment," Skipper told Hollywood Reporter contributor James Andrew Miller. "I thought the best thing to do was to take the time to check myself into a facility, and I was able to understand a bit more about substance use and to think about how it intersected with my life."

"The statement I released was accurate," he added. "I had a substance abuse problem ... I had a point of view that recreational drugs were recreational, that they weren't dangerous. That they could be used without repercussions."

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Asked if his substance addiction was with cocaine, Skipper responded: "It'd be safe to assume that."

He clarified, however, that he has never used heroin or opioids. Skipper also said he did not have a problem with alcohol, saying he was a "social drinker" his "whole life." He said his cocaine use rarely affected his work.

"At ESPN, I did not use at work, nor with anyone at work, or with anyone I did business with," Skipper told Miller. "I never allowed it to interfere with my work, other than a missed plane and a few canceled morning appointments. I've never been a daily user. My use over the past two decades has, in fact, been quite infrequent."

But in December, "someone from whom I bought cocaine attempted to extort me," Skipper continued.

Skipper, who claimed he was "careful" about purchasing the drug, said he had not previously purchased cocaine from the dealer who tried to extort him.

"They threatened me, and I understood immediately that threat put me and my family at risk, and this exposure would put my professional life at risk as well," he told Miller. "I foreclosed that possibility by disclosing the details to my family, and then when I discussed with Bob, he and I agreed that I had placed the company in an untenable position and as a result, I should resign."

"Look, it was inappropriate for the president of ESPN and an officer of The Walt Disney Co. to be associated in any way with any of this," Skipper continued. "I do want to make it clear, however, that anything I did in this regard, and anything else resulting from this, was a personal problem. My drug use never had any professional repercussions, but I still have profound regret. I accept that the consequences of my actions are my responsibility and have been appropriate. I also have to accept that I used very poor judgement."

Asked what's in store for his future, Skipper responded: "Right now, I enjoy the great luxury of time and being able to only do things I want to do, with people I want to do them with ... I'd like to get back in and do some things that matter. I'd like to work with some people who are doing exciting things."

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John Skipper, ex-ESPN president, says he resigned over cocaine extortion plot

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NEW YORK -- The former president of ESPN who abruptly resigned last year made a startling admission in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, revealing he stepped down because someone he bought cocaine from tried to extort him. John Skipper left the network in December to seek treatment for what he said was a "substance addiction."

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Fraudulent taking of personal property by someone to whom it was entrusted. Most often associated with the misappropriation of money. Embezzlement can occur regardless of whether the defendant keeps the personal property or transfers it to a third party.

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On March 15th, A Baraga woman was arraigned in the Keweenaw County District Court on 11 felony charges.

43-year-old Kelly Tapani was arrested on March 14th after a several month long investigation by the Keweenaw County Sheriff's Office.
Tapani faces charges of embezzlement by an employee or agent $50,000 or more but less than $100,000, a 15 year felony, embezzlement from a vulnerable adult, a 15 year felony, five counts of illegal use of a financial transaction decive, each a 4 year felony, and four counts of uttering and publishing, each a 14 year felony.

The charges stem from Tapani's position she held at the Vansville Bar, located in Keweenaw County.

The owner of the bar requested the Sheriff's Office investigate the alleged embezzlement, which took place over a five month period in 2017. Over that time it is alleged Tapani embezzled between $50,000 and $100,000.

Tapani was released on a personal recognizance bond and is due back in court for a preliminary exam on April 12th.

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baraga woman arrested on multiple embezzlement charges

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Baraga woman arrested on multiple embezzlement charges

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On March 15th, A Baraga woman was arraigned in the Keweenaw County District Court on 11 felony charges. 43-year-old Kelly Tapani was arrested on March 14th after a several month long investigation by the Keweenaw County Sheriff's Office.

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Robbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take anything of value by force, threat of force, or by putting the victim in fear.

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FITCHBURG, Wis. - A masked and armed man robbed a Kwik Trip gas station Thursday morning in Fitchburg, police said.

Fitchburg police responded around 6:30 a.m. to a report of an armed robbery at the Kwik Trip gas station at 5280 Williamsburg Way, according to a release.

The robber entered the store, pointed a handgun at the two cashiers and demanded money from their registers, officials said.

The robber ran south toward Williamsburg Way, but a K-9 track was not able to locate him, according to the release.

No one was injured during the robbery, police said.

The robber is described as a black man, about 20 years old and 5 feet 11 inches tall with a medium build. He was wearing a gold or tan jacket, black sweatpants and a mask around his face.

Officials ask anyone with information on the robbery to call 608-270-4300.

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Masked, armed man robs Kwik Trip, police say

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FITCHBURG, Wis. - A masked and armed man robbed a Kwik Trip gas station Thursday morning in Fitchburg, police said. Fitchburg police responded around 6:30 a.m. to a report of an armed robbery at the Kwik Trip gas station at 5280 Williamsburg Way, according to a release.

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Larceny definition, the wrongful taking and carrying away of the personal goods of another from his or her possession with intent to convert them to the taker's own use.

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CLOSE

The former owner of a Conklin bar and grill pleaded guilty Wednesday, on behalf of his corporation, in a $59,000-plus sales tax fraud case.

Robert Niederriter, 52, a Kirkwood resident and former owner of the Buffalo Head Bar & Grill, admitted to a second-degree grand larceny felony charge in Broome County Court. Judge Joseph Cawley scheduled sentencing for June 4.

The New York State Attorney General's Office said Niederriter failed to report all taxable sales at Buffalo Head Bar & Grill between 2011 and 2015. The bar was at 1577 Conklin Road.

More: Former Conklin bar owner failed to pay $59K in sales tax, AG says

Also Of Interest: Suspect in murder of Haley Anderson arrested in Nicaragua, reports say

According to court documents, Niederriter owned the Conklin bar from June 2011 through December 2015. State prosecutors said he was legally required to report all taxable sales - that includes food and beverage sales - and to file tax returns on a quarterly basis.

But during his time as owner, prosecutors said, he filed only two quarterly sales tax returns. He allegedly underreported the total sales by $747,362.56.

As part of Wednesday's plea agreement, unclaimed sales tax was set to be tendered to the Attorney General's Office. The state Department of Taxation and Finance assisted state prosecutors with the investigation, which resulted with Niederrite's arrest in December.
On Twitter: @PSBABorrelli
More: Fraud prevention in the Southern Tier: Churches, hospitals, towns vulnerable to workers

Read or Share this story: http://press.sn/2pcHyqp

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Former Conklin bar owner pleads guilty in $50K sales tax grand larceny

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CLOSE The former owner of a Conklin bar and grill pleaded guilty Wednesday, on behalf of his corporation, in a $59,000-plus sales tax fraud case. Robert Niederriter, 52, a Kirkwood resident and former owner of the Buffalo Head Bar & Grill, admitted to a second-degree grand larceny felony charge in Broome County Court.

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Burglary is an unlawful entry into a building or other location for the purposes of committing an offence. Usually that offence is theft, but most jurisdictions include others within the ambit of burglary.

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Industry detectives executed s search warrant on storage locker kept by burglary ring following their arrest. They discovered thousands of stolen goods. All items need to be booked and stored. It will be a long day pic.twitter.com/itSXqCYphj

- Captain Tim Murakami (@IndustryCaptain) March 13, 2018

Deputies found a motorcycle, tire rims, furniture, electronic equipment and a slew of other stolen goods connected to a burglary ring at a storage locker in El Monte on Monday and Tuesday.

Sgt. John Suh of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Industry Station estimated the value of the recovered goods at $30,000. He said the search warrants are related to an ongoing commercial burglary investigation.

So far, deputies have identified eight businesses that the ring hit. Suh said the businesses are in Industry, Norwalk, South El Monte and El Monte.

Deputies arrested one woman a week ago. Citing

the ongoing investigation, they declined to release the suspect's name or the name of the El Monte storage business where deputies found the stolen goods.

Suh said a burglary at a wholesale distributor of electronics in Industry earlier this month launched their investigation.

Capt. Tim Murakami of the Sheriff's Industry station said deputies found a parked vehicle in Industry with stolen property inside.

He said evidence later led deputies to the storage locker in El Monte.

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Deputies discover goods stolen by burglary ring in El Monte

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Industry detectives executed s search warrant on storage locker kept by burglary ring following their arrest. They discovered thousands of stolen goods. All items need to be booked and stored.

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Vandalism is "action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property." The term includes property damage, such as graffiti and defacement directed towards any property without permission of the owner.

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Live Broadcast WATCH NOW

BREAKING NEWS Pedestrian bridge collapses at Florida university; Several dead

LIVE VIDEO Officials give update on deadly pedestrian bridge collapse in Florida

WATCH LIVE

BREAKING NEWS Pedestrian bridge collapses at Florida university; Several dead

LIVE VIDEO Officials give update on deadly pedestrian bridge collapse in Florida

A vandalism case at a church on Long Island last weekend will now be investigated as a possible hate crime, police say.

Suffolk County Police Hate Crime Section detectives will take a closer look into the incident.

On March 11, the face of a life-size statue of Jesus was smashed by vandals outside the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island Church on Eastport -Manor Road in Manorville.

So far there are no suspects in the case.

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Vandalism at LI church investigated as possible hate crime

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Live Broadcast WATCH NOW BREAKING NEWS Pedestrian bridge collapses at Florida university; Several dead LIVE VIDEO Officials give update on deadly pedestrian bridge collapse in Florida WATCH LIVE BREAKING NEWS Pedestrian bridge collapses at Florida university; Several dead LIVE VIDEO Officials give update on deadly pedestrian bridge collapse in Florida A vandalism case at a church on Long Island last weekend will now be investigated as a possible hate crime, police say.

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Arson is a crime of intentionally, deliberately and maliciously setting fire to buildings, wildland areas, abandoned homes, vehicles or other property with the intent to cause damage.

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ANTIOCH - A backpack already on fire and intended to ignite even more landed on the front porch of a home here Wednesday morning, but fire crews put it out before disaster could strike.

Police were investigating the scare, which happened in the 1400 block of St. Frances Drive. Emergency crews were dispatched there around 8:07 a.m., spokesman Fire Capt. George Laing of the Contra Costa Fire Protection District said.

The backpack could've ignited worse than it did, Laing said. Because it didn't, the house and anyone inside it were spared.

"At least one person may have been asleep inside," Laing said. "If it goes up, and the house catches fire, that's a whole different ballgame."

Crews doused the backpack, which was on fire, Laing said.

Helicopters buzzed low by the area, and nearby streets were blocked during the incident.

Messages were left with Antioch police Wednesday afternoon.

Check back for updates.

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Fiery backpack tossed at Antioch home in apparent arson attempt

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ANTIOCH - A backpack already on fire and intended to ignite even more landed on the front porch of a home here Wednesday morning, but fire crews put it out before disaster could strike. Police were investigating the scare, which happened in the 1400 block of St. Frances Drive.

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the act of producing a copy or imitation of (a document, signature, banknote, or work or art) for the purpose of deception.

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Mr. Skjold said the earlier letter was subjected to a thorough and lengthy forensic examination, which the new letter is also likely to undergo.

In a phone interview on Wednesday, Mr. Njolstad of the Nobel committee, said, "We verify all nominations, at least the ones with a shadow of doubt."

Mr. Njolstad declined to provide details or copies of the forged nominations, but he said it was fair to assume that the documents purported to have been from a nominator who - when contacted - said the nominations were not valid.

A large number of people qualify as nominators for the prize, including heads of state, lawmakers and cabinet ministers of countries around the world; members of the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, both based in The Hague; members of the Institute of International Law, based in Ghent, Belgium; university professors of history, social sciences, law, philosophy, theology and religion; certain university leaders; directors of peace research institutes and foreign policy institutes; and past recipients of the prize.

Four American presidents have been awarded the prize, most recently Barack Obama, in 2009. Jimmy Carter was recognized in 2002, more than two decades after he left office.

The decision to present the award to Mr. Obama, during his first year in office, while the United States was still engaged in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (conflicts that continue to this day), was widely criticized at the time. The following year, the prize went to the Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, setting off furious protests from China and a long chill in diplomatic relations between China and Norway.

Thorbjorn Jagland, a former prime minister of Norway, who was the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee when Mr. Obama and Mr. Liu were recognized, remains on the selection committee but no longer leads it.

Since 1901, 131 laureates have been recognized (many sharing the prize with others). One laureate, Le Duc Tho of North Vietnam, in 1973, declined the prize. Three laureates - Mr. Liu; Aung San Suu Kyi, now Myanmar's de facto leader; and the German pacifist and journalist Carl von Ossietzky - were in detention or under house arrest at the time they were recognized.

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Trump's Nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize Was Apparently Forged. Twice.

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Mr. Skjold said the earlier letter was subjected to a thorough and lengthy forensic examination, which the new letter is also likely to undergo. In a phone interview on Wednesday, Mr. Njolstad of the Nobel committee, said, "We verify all nominations, at least the ones with a shadow of doubt."