The CBS affiliate in San Diego is reporting that businesses that have contributed money to oppose the a ban on gay marriage in California are being blackmailed to contribute to a group that is fighting for the ban.
A threatening letter has sparked a new controversy here in San Diego surrounding the gay marriage debate. Donors who gave money to the No on Prop 8 campaign say they received blackmail letters demanding money, and the Yes on 8 campaign now says the letters were sent by their employees.
The letter from Yes on 8 came by certified mail, demanding at least $10,000. Jim Abbot knows exactly why he's being targeted - his business gave $10,000 to a group called Equality California, which supports No on Prop 9.
The letter says if Jim doesn't give an equal donation to Yes on 8, the name of his company will be published. It reads in part, "It is only fair for Proposition 8 supporters to know which companies and organizations oppose traditional marriage.
'I feel like it's blackmail, and as you can imagine, real estate business has been tough lately and to have someone come at you like this... it's very distressing,' he said.
