File this one under “ridiculous.”

While The Ashley usually trusts most news that comes out of US Weekly, (they are one of the most reliable tabloids, in her opinion), this story is just south of ridiculous.

According to a story in the new issue, Bachelorette star Emily Maynard paid fiance Jef Holm to stay with her after he caught her sexting a guy while on vacation with his family in August. The magazine goes on to say that Emily was very apologetic after she was caught by her fiance and was hoping to sweep the incident under the rug. Instead, according to the magazine’s source, Jef was looking to sweep the incident all the way to the bank.

According to the source:

“Emily told him ‘I’m so sorry’ and he said, ‘Well, we have two options: The first is I can go to the media and tell them the truth and let everyone know what you’re really like. Or two, I will deny the whole thing and you give me half the money you made from ‘The Bachelorette.’”

I’m sorry…what?!

The magazine is saying that Emily agreed to split her ‘Bachelorette’ paycheck (worth $250,000!) with Jef to keep his mouth shut about her infidelity.

Oh yeah, did I mention that the source of this information is Kaylee Shephard, Jef’s ex-girlfriend? She says that she recently met up with Jef to chat about his relationship. (I mean, who doesn’t call up their exes to dish all the dirt on their current lover? Psshh!)

Is this story true? We may never know without getting a gander at Emily’s phone (and Jef’s checkbook!) but it sounds ridiculous, for the following reasons:

• Telling someone that you will expose them to the media unless they pay you a large sum of money isn’t a lover’s quarrel; that’s extortion, which is a crime, and I’m sure Jef knows that.

• Why continue the “happy family” facade if they are really that unhappy? It wouldn’t be earth-shattering news that a couple from ‘The Bachelor’ franchise broke up; in fact, everyone is expecting them to breakup.

• Jef isn’t exactly hurting for money, as you can tell by checking out his family’s palatial estate. He also runs a successful water company. Why would he risk going to jail for extortion, and possibly losing everything, for a mere $125,000. And, even if it were true, why would he be so stupid as to reveal his secret crime to someone, his ex-girlfriend none the less?!

The Ashley isn’t buying this at all! While it may be true that Emily was sexting a secret boo, and she may have asked Jef to stay because she didn’t want to have three engagements and no weddings, I highly doubt blackmail was involved.

(Photo: ABC)