HOLLYWOOD, May 14 (UPI) -- Vanity Fair Editor Graydon Carter allegedly received a $100,000 consultant fee from Universal Pictures, the LA Times reported Friday.
Universal financed the Academy Award-winning film "A Beautiful Mind." the report said. Vanity Fair had earlier published excerpts from the book on which the movie was based.
The report, quoting sources, said Carter approached the movie's producer Brian Grazer through intermediary Bryan Lourd. Carter allegedly told Lourd he deserved the money for recommending the book be turned into a movie.
The sources said Grazer, a friend of Carter's as well, was uncomfortable but ultimately authorized the money.
Neither Grazer nor Lourd would comment. Carter also declined to be interviewed for the story, the Times said.
But Vanity Fair spokeswoman Beth Kseniak confirmed by e-mail Carter received a $100,000 payment. She said it was disclosed to a person "in authority" at Vanity Fair's parent, Conde Nast Publications.
Asked whether Vanity Fair's ethical guidelines permit the editor to accept such payments, Conde Nast Senior Vice President Maurie Perl called Carter "a great editor in chief" and said Conde Nast CEO Chuck Townsend and Carter "are completely on the same page" regarding Carter's editorship.
