The Other Woman (or man) Getting Represented By An Attorney Question

[Markxxx]

I was reading this blip from an online gossip site

Bones star David Boreanaz admitted to an extra-marital affair on Monday and claimed his former mistress contacted an attorney and threatened to go to various media outlets.

Full story at: Radar Online

Now my question is it sounds like extortion, but it can’t be. It says futher down in the article:

RadarOnline.com has learned that Boreanaz had ANOTHER affair and Allred represents the new woman too!

I guess my question is what is the attorney involved for? Since it’s gossip I am willing to concede the whole thing may be made up. Obviously you can’t go to an attorney and pay to get “hush money,” if the guy is gonna come out and admit it anyway, it seems like he’d call the cops and take her down with him?

So what’s kind of up behind this when “The other woman” or “other man” goes to an attorney to get represented

[anson2995]

@Markxxx

So what’s kind of up behind this when “The other woman” or “other man” goes to an attorney to get represented

The attorney acts as a press agent. There are most likely no other legal issues involved

[Oakminster]

@anson2995

There are most likely no other legal issues involved

In some states, the third party could be sued for alienation of affections.

[Markxxx]

So I guess while it looks like the woman is using the attorney to extort money, which would be illegal, I guess in reality she is technically using the attorney as a press agent to PREVENT any legal issues which might make it look like she is trying to extort money?