Hush Money

You mean, an out of court settlement? I don't see why not, but get a written and witnessed agreement.

I guess. "out of court settlement" sounds so proper while hush money sounds illicit. I'm not sure if it can be the same thing. I read that executives of News International (i.e., Murdoch) paid to make lawsuits go away.

Paid whom? The plaintiffs? The judge? It could make a difference.

An executive of News International paying the intended plaintiff not to sue News International.

Then that's called a settlement, and it happens all the time. It avoids the cost and uncertainty of a trial.