(OpEd) I was not writing a column today.

I was taking the week off.

I was on my way into the office to proof the book.

And a fascinating thing just happened.

I received the enclosed email, honestly, less than 15 minutes ago, and it is going to piss off my graphic designer, who's leaving for France tomorrow, to have to lay this out at the last minute.

I am sorry, but this is too important. If I got this, so might have you. And you might fall for it. Don’t.

Here is the email, which I am turning over to the FBI, Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors police.

It reads as follows, starting with the warning that the writer knows my "pass word."

Dear Norman,

I do know, that xxxx, is your pass word. You may not know me and you’re probably wondering why you’re getting this mail, correct? 

Let me tell you, I setup a malware on the adult videos (adult porn) website and there’s more, you visited this web site to have fun (you know what I mean). 

While you were watching videos, your web browser initiated operating as a RDP (Remote Desktop) having a key logger which gave me access to your screen and webcam. after that, my software gathered all of your contacts from your Messenger, Facebook, and email. 

What exactly did I do? 

I created a double-screen video. 1st part displays the video you were viewing (you’ve got a nice taste rofl), and next part displays the recording of your cam. 

What should you do? 

Well, I believe, $1900 is a fair price tag for our little secret. You will make the payment by Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search “how to buy bitcoin” in Google). 

BTC Address: 1JHwenDp9A98XdjfYkHKyiE3R99Q72K9X4 

(It is cAsE sensitive, so copy and paste it) 

Important: 

You now have one day to make the payment. (I’ve a specific pixel within this e mail, and now I know that youhave read this email). If I do not get the BitCoins, I will definitely send your video recording to all of your contacts including relatives, coworkers, and so on. Having said that, if I receive the payment, I’ll erase the video immidiately. If you need proof, reply with “Yes!” and I will certainly send out your video recording to your 7 friends. It is a non-negotiable offer, thus don’t waste my time and yours by replying to this email.

The letter came from a phony author, at a scam address, one Patrizio Donia at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Well, here is the thing, Patrizio. Go fuck yourself. I don’t take lightly to blackmail, or threats. So now I am prepared to spend thousands of dollars to track your ass down, while engaging all the tools of law enforcement at my disposal, starting with the federal Internet crimes division of the Department of Justice.

First, for your information, I don’t particularly watch or like porn. I may represent porn stars, but I have no raincoats and don’t play in the park. 

Second, if I wanted to watch porn, I am guessing that after the age of 65, I earned that right.

Third, you attempted to scare the wrong person. I run one of the largest gay papers in the United States, and I am going to use all our tools and resources to make sure no one else falls for your evil, money grabbing scam.

I am sorry I don’t have more time to write. I have got to get our paper out, and want to make sure this short column is in it. And I want to alert anyone and everyone who may fall prey to your pernicious crime.

So knock your socks off, Patrizio. Send a note to all my friends and living relatives that you think you can blackmail me with your scum sucking scam. Now sit back and watch as I use the tools of the National American Gay Media Association and local journalists’ societies against you. 

You sweat from your international portal as I use the tools of having been a criminal defense lawyer for forty years to contact Interpol, the FBI, and other federal enforcement agencies to intercept your vile and vicious scheme.

Hopefully, my friends in the local, national and international media will help track your ass down and the next threat you post will come from some distant jail cell in a faraway place where there is no Internet. 

That by the way, is not a threat. I have lots of time on my hands, watching the World Cup, the All-Star Game, and lots of sporting events this summer, while I heal and get better from a medical issue. Now I have a more noble purpose - going after you.

See you soon. You can recognize me by my fedora, but I will also be the prosecuting witness.