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Former New York Post gossip scribe Jared Paul Stern won't be charged with extortion any time soon, but he does plan to sue Ron Burkle -- the grocery magnate competing with his former boss for control of the L.A. Times -- for defamation.

The former Page Six contributor was informed this week by the Justice Dept. that he would not be charged with a crime and that the investigation against him had been dropped.

Last year, Burkle accused the scribe of extorting fees in exchange for favorable coverage in the News Corp. tabloid. Stern, who was videotaped as part of the sting instigated by Burkle, allegedly demanded $100,000 upfront and a $10,000 monthly retainer from the billionaire. Stern denied ever doing so.

However, the Post stopped using Stern and vowed to curtail freelance gossip contributions in the future. The scribe says he's unemployed.

Meanwhile, Burkle's bid with Eli Broad for the L.A. Times was set to expire Wednesday. Among the competish: Rupert Murdoch, who has joined forces with the Chandler family on a bid for Tribune, parent to the L.A. Times and Newsday in New York.