Fergie 'Devastated' After Pay-for-Access Sting

By PopEater Staff Posted May 23rd 2010 02:35PM

Dutchess of York Sarah Ferguson is at the center of a nasty undercover sting done by News of the World in which she was caught on tape seemingly offering access to her ex-husband Prince Andrew in exchange for nearly three-quarters of a million dollars. The News reporter was posing as a businessman in the undercover operation. PopEater's Rob Shuter has known Ferguson for years, and is urging people not to make a snap judgment on her. "This is not the Sarah I know," Shuter says. More on the scandal, plus inside scoop from Shuter ... after the jump.

The tabloid News of the World posted video on its website that appears to show Ferguson discussing payment terms. She is heard to say "500,000 pounds ($724,000) when you can, to me, open doors."

Asked if she was referring to the prince, she said: "Yeah."

Later in the conversation, Fergie tells the reporter that "If you want to go and then if we want to do a big deal with Andrew, then that's the big one ... You send it to the bank account that I tell you to send it to."

Andrew is an international British trade ambassador. The newspaper said he knew nothing of the meeting.

The report is embarrassing, but there is no suggestion Ferguson did anything illegal.

PopEater's Rob Shuter, who has known Ferguson for years, says the scandal doesn't seem to fit her character.

"I saw the Duchess 2 months ago in New York City and she was in great spirits," Shuter said, saying that people should "not rush to judgment" just yet.

"Sarah spends more time raising money for charities than anyone I know," Shuter contends. "She is extremely protective about Prince Andrew and her children -- that's what makes this tape even more shocking. We have only seem an edited tape ... often careful editing can paint a picture that isn't always true."

Ferguson's spokeswoman, Kate Waddington, confirmed the recording was authentic. She said the duchess was "devastated" and regretted the embarrassment she had caused.

"Sarah is a smart woman but can sometimes get confused. I'm hoping that's what is happening right now," Shuter says.

Ferguson married Andrew, who is fourth in line to the throne, in 1986. They had two children, princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, before divorcing in 1996.

Since then Ferguson has written children's books, made television documentaries and acted as a spokeswoman for Weight Watchers.

She also has struggled financially and has complained that her divorce settlement was stingy.

Recently the company set up to manage her U.S. career in publishing, public speaking and media work, Hartmoor LLC, collapsed with debts of around $1 million.

Buckingham Palace said it does not speak for Ferguson, who is no longer a member of the royal family, and would not comment on the story.

Ferguson was flying Sunday to Los Angeles, where she is scheduled to receive an award for her charity work.

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Tags: duchess of york, sarah ferguson

Comments

(27)

Monday 24 May

By Ken

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Just another rich person selling out their country. They don't care, they don't have to. They're all set to move to Dubai, anyways.

By eddiemylove

Take her to the local pub, buy her a pint, and that'll make her 'appy.

By Franklin

Duchess, for shame. You, a blue blood, should now be blue in the face as you face and what is really revealed here: a woman broken and broke who is using her celibrity status to manipulate the press, the public for money and sympathy. Not from me chickadee, your ugly, a lier and most importantly a symbol that the rich have their own rules, and the pesants just watch with awe and disgust.

Tuesday 01 June

By Pj

Leave the women alone. In the big picture of things what does it really matter. It will just sell a lot of news to the public.

By betcha

OK..she was desperate for money and she messed up. But why set her up like that? I suspect that somebody wanted her busted, humiliated and out of the way. Who and why? No one seems to be getting to the nitty gritty of this story. Not defending her but I'd like to know who's behind the sting.

Tuesday 05 July

By Ken Lonewolf

I think that Sarah is a beautiful woman who will find herself, then move on to do good things. She is obviously a very good mother. Unfortunately, she married into the royal family where you live in a transparent fish bowl.
Privacy is out of the question! And if you even stumble over one of your own feet, it is world news. The papparazi killed Diana, her friend. She needs to tell the papparazi in England to go to hell, and to take the shortest route to hell!

Ken Lonewolf / Shawnee Native American "cousin" to this royal family.

Sunday 18 September

By lulu

That woman has a lot of problems.

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