Former Alberta justice minister and solicitor general Jonathan Denis said a person threatened to ruin his life if he did not pay them $50,000..“Following several days of anonymous individuals releasing private videos of myself purporting to make regrettable comments, I received a serious blackmail threat sent at 1:31 A.M. last night,” said Denis in a Thursday tweet. .“This individual (who did not identify themselves) demanded $50,000 for ‘peace’ or else they would destroy my life.” .Denis said he reported the threat to the Calgary police, which is investigating the matter. .While he'll leave it to the cops to investigate, Denis said he has “strong reason to believe this is both politically and personally motivated.” .He said he has no idea what this person believes they have to harm his reputation. He admitted he's said and done activities in his home and with family and friends that he would not be proud to have made public. .He went on to say he will “not give in to the blackmail and I will not be paying them $50,000 for ‘peace.’” .“I will not gratify this blackmailer with a long series of apologies for dirt— real or otherwise— dug up or fabricated with malicious intent,” he said. .Calgary police confirmed it is investigating reports of uttering threats stemming from social media posts. ."The matter remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time," said Calgary police. .Denis said on Wednesday he is sorry after videos of him doing impersonations while under the influence of alcohol were publicized on Twitter. .READ MORE: UPDATED: Former Alberta justice minister apologizes for comments made while drunk.“I have no recollection of these events, however, it is possible I said them years ago while under the influence of alcohol,” he said. .“If so, I am truly sorry.”.Alberta United Conservative Party leadership candidate Danielle Smith responded by firing phone bank contractor Craig Chandler, who attended the party, from her campaign..“I will not be associated with such behaviour and have instructed my campaign to immediately terminate any contract or other dealings with the involved company,” said Smith. .“As someone with indigenous ancestry, I honour the heritage of Canada’s indigenous peoples as one of our nation’s and province’s greatest treasures and strengths.” .Chandler denied he recorded Denis making these comments. .“Jonathan Denis is my friend,” said Chandler. .“Somebody recorded it.” .He said the video was recorded in 2020 at a backyard party. He suspects it is a certain person, and he will be suing them for defamation.
