Tale of the Tape

Regan's spokeswoman declined comment when told of the content of this story and responded similarly when asked specifically about the tape recording. But publishing industry executives close to Regan insist that she wouldn't have leveled the allegations in her lawsuit without specific substantiating evidence. In a NEWSWEEK interview, one influential publishing executive in Regan's camp firmly declares direct knowledge of the tape. This person, however, claims to have not listened to it and didn't know whether Regan or her lawyers have told News Corp. about it. Two media executives close to the matter also claim to know one person, a man, who has listened to the tape. They declined to identify him, however.

For years, Regan has enjoyed one of the highest profiles in all of publishing. She ran her imprint, ReganBooks, with a degree of autonomy that many in the industry envied, and she delivered a string of out-of-left-field hits, including "How to Make Love Like a Porn Star" by Jenna Jameson and "Juiced" by Jose Canseco. ReganBooks reportedly generated annual revenues of at least $120 million. "I'm like the road warrior of publishing," she once told NEWSWEEK . Last December, News Corp. abruptly fired her for making what it subsequently described as "anti-Semitic" remarks. Through her attorney, Regan at the time vehemently denied making such utterances.

The episode followed the scandal over the O. J. Simpson book. After the project sparked a public outcry about "blood money" in News Corp. coffers, Murdoch cancelled its publication last November. Regan is essentially claiming now that News Corp. trumped up the anti-Semitic slur as part of its alleged smear campaign.

One near-certain outcome of Regan's clash with Murdoch's News Corp. is that it will make for a page-turning chapter in her memoirs someday. But what will make her life story a publishing blockbuster is the title—"If I Taped It."

© 2007