Today
by Scott Stump
July 5, 2013

Embattled celebrity chef Paula Deen can now add being the target of an alleged extortion attempt to an already full plate of legal drama.

FBI officials announced Friday that they arrested Thomas Paculis, 62, in Newfield, N.Y., in connection with an extortion scheme targeting Deen. Paculis, who previously resided in Savannah and Augusta in Deen’s home state of Georgia, has been charged with attempting to extort Deen by requesting $250,000 in compensation in return for not releasing “true and damning” statements to the media made by Deen, according to a federal criminal complaint filed on June 24.

(excerpted)
http://www.today.com/food/alleged-plot-e...rest-6C10551940

Somebody help me out here. There is a chance I misunderstand the whole blackmail thing. I was under the impression you try to blackmail somebody by threatening to ruin their reputations and careers while they STILL HAVE reputations and careers that can BE ruined.

What am I missing,here?