Is being blackmailed proof of guilt?

[Хahar 🤔]

Let's say that a person is a victim of blackmail. Does the fact that they were blackmailed imply that they were guilty of something?

Just wondering what the forum thinks about this.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

No, it depends on the context.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

In general, I'd assume that it was a sign of guilt, though I'm aware that it's not guaranteed.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

It's not proof, but... in order to work, you've got to at least think you look guilty.

[Storebought]

What if the blackmail is done in the name of exposing a third party, like a spouse or a child?

[minionofmidas]

The thread text says "imply" - and it usually does. The thread title says "proof", and it isn't.

[Badger]

No. The blackmailee could be frightened of being framed or otherwise the victim of abused power. Or they may've done something they THOUGHT was wrong/illegal which, technically, was perfectly legit.  

This question arises from a post I made in the ongoing Inks saga, where I realized the (frankly obvious) answer to my own question after posting. I was trying more (albeit not articulately) to determine what Simfan had supposedly done leading to Inks "blackmailing" him.