blackmail

The criminals hoped the documents within would contain sensitive secrets they could use to blackmail Hughes, who sometimes spent months without leaving his home, eating only chocolate bars and milk, letting his fingernails grow long.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026

This exemplary service failed to account for her disturbingly poor judgment, risking blackmail and conflict-of-interest allegations, since the Atlanta Police Department appears before her court; nor her lack of candor to the court.

From Slate ● Jun. 8, 2026

In a brief statement to the press before surrendering to police at the senate premises, Estrada described the charges as part of an attempt to blackmail him.

From Barron's ● Jun. 1, 2026

Robertson said there was no dispute Patel's actions had seriously departed from professional standards but submitted the relationship was instigated by Patient A and "largely driven by her through the ongoing threats and blackmail".

From BBC ● May 21, 2026

Hazel was still seething from his blackmail threats earlier.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

For Nate, a bid at redemption comes not from his mother but from Jade, who blackmails the A Taste of Athens manager, Derek into firing him.

From New York Times ● May 24, 2023

Persistent, and desperate, Cassie blackmails her for the spot saying she knows that Carol sells "buddy passes" and that everyone calls her "black market Carol" because of it.

From Salon ● Apr. 29, 2022

Kiki’s former spymaster, the shadowy Dr. Fox, persuades — well, blackmails — her into working for him again, gathering intelligence on possible threats.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 30, 2021

Highly intelligent Sophie detects the surveillance and blackmails JJ into, essentially, being her father figure.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2020

Booth blackmails Atzerodt, saying belongings John Wilkes Booth took with he left his hotel room on April 14, 1865. he’s in too deep to back out.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly

Worse, the patients were the ones feeling emotionally blackmailed into donating money.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026

Which would get tiresome if she weren’t being blackmailed about William, the money and Neha’s perilous position with the police force.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 12, 2026

"We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed," said Lars Klingbeil, at a press conference in Berlin alongside French Economy Minister Roland Lescure.

From Barron's ● Jan. 19, 2026

Hostage, Netflix's new political thriller, sees Jones' character, Abigail Dalton, build an uneasy alliance with French President Vivienne Toussaint - played by Julie Delpy - who is being blackmailed during a London summit.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2025

“You will never repeat that to anyone, do you hear me? I’ve come too far to have my position jeopardized! I won’t be blackmailed by a snot-nosed apprentice!”

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

These including using the pages to sell fake products or place scam adverts, harvesting personal information, spreading malware, tricking people into sending money, or blackmailing the company in question to unblock the account.

From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2025

“They’re blackmailing me,” Ms. Navalnaya said in a video posted on her son’s YouTube channel.

From New York Times ● Feb. 22, 2024

In Sam Mendes’ 1999 film, “American Beauty,” Lester Burnham, played by Kevin Spacey, kicks off a corporate blackmailing scheme that ultimately leaves him with a $60,000 pay-out.

From Salon ● Dec. 9, 2023

Gio Reyna’s parents reported Gregg Berhalter’s 31-year-old altercation involving his future wife but deny blackmailing the coach who did not play their son.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 5, 2023

“So he’s been blackmailing Queen Orlagh,” Dain says, and the Roach and I look over at him.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black