Rupert Murdoch clamps down on "free reign" of former Bernie Kerik mistress and OJ pimp Judith Regan

[Human Torch]

Publishing: No More Free Rein For Regan

Dec. 4, 2006 issue - In Rupert Murdoch's global media empire, few hired hands have operated with the same level of autonomy as Judith Regan, the bad girl of publishing behind the O. J. Simpson "confession" book scandal. Apparently her freedom exceeded even that of Murdoch's son and onetime News Corp. heir apparent, Lachlan, who quit as a top exec last year in part because of his father's meddling. Although her ReganBooks imprint is part of Murdoch's HarperCollins publishing arm, Regan only had to present a general concept of the Simpson book to HarperCollins CEO Jane Friedman to get the budget approved for the project, according to one person close to Friedman who doesn't want to be identified because he's not authorized to speak for the company.

Until now, the loose reins have generally paid off handsomely. Regan has delivered a string of out-of-left-field hits—like "How to Make Love Like a Porn Star" by Jenna Jameson and "Juiced" by Jose Canseco. Her imprint has reportedly generated annual revenues of $120 million. "I'm like the road warrior of publishing," she once told NEWSWEEK.

But Regan's meddlesome-free days are almost certainly over. Her projects will come under intense scrutiny, and the loose "organizational structure" under which she operated will likely change, according to News Corp. insiders who didn't want to be identified discussing the embarrassing episode's fallout. The outrage has led to widespread speculation about Regan's fate. It's unclear, however, how much Murdoch will clamp down on Regan, the insiders say. News Corp. top executives have yet to examine the circumstances leading up to the project. Privately, insiders offered a "wait and see" attitude, though that contrasts with News Corp.'s public statement that there would be no "recriminations" and that no one would be fired. But restraints on Regan's operating style could prompt her to consider leaving on her own. Attempts to reach Regan's reps were unsuccessful.

—Johnnie L. Roberts

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15896702/site/newsweek/