• by Melynda Fuller , August 29, 2018

Amid Michael Cohen’s ongoing trial and following a judge’s agreement to grant him immunity for his testimony, American Media Inc.’s CEO David Pecker has stepped down as director of Postmedia, a chain of Canadian newspapers.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Pecker’s resignation is effective immediately. He had served on the board since 2016. 

Pecker’s resignation comes as another “catch-and-kill” bombshell contract was released over the weekend. 

Dino Sajudin, a former doorman at Trump World Tower, reportedly sold a story to AMI about an alleged affair Donald Trump had with a former housekeeper with whom he allegedly fathered a child. In 2015, AMI bought the story from Sajudin for $30,000 to cover up the affair and likely to protect Trump during his presidential campaign.

Last Friday, former AMI senior editor Jerry George told the Huffington Post that practices at the company changed dramatically when Pecker took the head in 1999, including an end to negative stories about Donald Trump, Pecker’s longtime friend.

Cohen, or another member of the Trump Organization, reviewed all coverage of Trump before publication. Before leaving the company in 2013, George estimates roughly 10 stories related to Trump were killed by Pecker.

However, Pecker didn’t begin the practice of catch-and-kill tactics at AMI, though he did escalate their practice. According to George, the company also covered up stories about Arnold Schwarzenneger during his first gubernatorial race to protect his image. He was on the editorial board at the time.

Peter Sharpe, lead director of the Postmedia Board, stated about Pecker's departure: "David noted that it is important for him to focus his efforts on ensuring that his businesses are best positioned for continued growth."