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A Saudi official told CNN late on Tuesday that the kingdom "categorically rejects any allegation that it would be involved in any way in the apparent dispute" between Bezos and American Media Incorporated, which publishes the tabloid.
The answer comes after a private investigator working for Bezos wrote an editorial over the weekend, claiming that the kingdom had access to the billionaire's phone and had "obtained private information."
The article was the last turning point in a saga that unfolded on how the relationship between Bezos and Sanchez had been leaked to the National Enquirer.
Private investigator Gavin de Becker did not provide any concrete evidence to support his allegations published in the Daily Beast. He also added that it was not clear if AMI "was aware of the details".
The Saudi official called the allegations "a transparent attempt to damage the image of the kingdom and the reputation of its leaders."
AMI told CNN in a statement that she relies on a source, Sanchez's brother, Michael Sanchez, for his story on the love relationship. There was "no involvement of any other third party," said AMI.
Allegations of Saudi involvement raised issues surrounding the case's presentation by the National Enquirer tabloid enter Bezos – who owns the Washington Post – and Sanchez, a former presenter at the local Fox station in Los Angeles.
Bezos hinted that the AMI had tried to extort him to please the Saudi government – which would have ties to AMI and was upset by the Washington Post's coverage of the murder of its columnist Jamal Khashoggi – or President Donald Trump. AMI says that's not the case.
In his article, de Becker wrote that he and his team had spoken with current and former sources and officials of AMI, Middle East intelligence experts, Saudi whistleblowers and dissidents, as well as advisers. current and former President Trump, between their conclusion.
The National Enquirer attempted to "force an American citizen [Saudi] the leaders wanted to be hurt, compromised and silenced, "according to Becker.
Both the Bezos and the Washington Post have been repeatedly criticized by the president, who has his own ties with AMI. President David Pecker is a longtime friend of Trump, and the Enquirer was one of the most reliable and enthusiastic boosters of the media during the campaign.
De Becker believes Michael Sanchez shared the texts and photographs sent by Bezos and Lauren Sanchez to the National Enquirer.
But Becker says the National Enquirer was aware of the messages before approaching Sanchez. Sanchez told CNN Business that AMI was already looking for a story about this relationship when it was about him. He added that "Becker's latest distraction" contains "no evidence".
In his statement, AMI stated that "the fact is that it was Michael Sanchez who informed the National Enquirer of the case on September 10, 2018 and, within four months, provided all the necessary elements for our investigation. The spokesman added that "Sanchez's sustained efforts to discuss and misrepresent our reports, as well as his role in it, have waived the confidentiality of all sources."
De Becker says the first source is the Saudi government. He said the Saudi rulers wanted to hurt Bezos because of the Washington Post's coverage of Khashoggi's death. Khashoggi, who had criticized the kingdom and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman were murdered and dismembered at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul in the fall.
Danielle Wiener-Bronner and Kevin Bohn contributed to this report.
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