An Atlanta man claimed to have damaging audio tapes and demanded a ransom not to release them to the public. Just what was on the tape and how Oprah was directly involved is not known at this time. TMZ had a bit on the story and here is part of their report:

The man, Keifer Bonvillain, is accused of illegally recording phone conversations he had with a Winfrey employee about her and her business. According to the charges, he then asked for $1.5 million from a second person, described as a Winfrey "business associate," to destroy the tapes and his notes.