A Best Kept Secret: The Media’s Dirty Laundry

The media vigorously reports the transgressions of professional athletes, hoping for that next domestic-violence got’cha.

Jonathan Dwyer of the Arizona Cardinals has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident and has been deactivated for this week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. Dwyer is now the third player in the NFL on what is essentially a paid leave while facing either domestic or child abuse charges. Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings and Greg Hardy of the Carolina Panthers are both on the exempt/commissioner’s permission list.
Business Insider, 9/18/14

While the announcements of players receiving pay while investigations were ongoing pissed off the most holier-than-thou media types, we also believe that it was highly unlikely the sanctimonious punditry in the news business would be the ONLY employment base where domestic violence or other crimes did not occur, and thanks to the Internet hamper, here are a few examples of the hypocritical media’s dirty laundry….

1997

Testimony Stuns Court Albert, Wearing Women’s Underwear, Allegedly Bit New Prosecution Witness
A surprise witness testified Wednesday that 54-year-old NBC play-by-play man Marv Albert, wearing white panties and a garter belt, bit her three years ago in a Dallas hotel room during a struggle that left her holding the sportscaster’s hairpiece.

Patricia Masden’s story was the most shocking yet in Albert’s forcible sodomy and assault trial, drawing gasps from spectators but not even a smile from the jurors. Albert is not on trial in connection with the alleged incident, but Circuit Judge Benjamin N.A. Kendrick let her tell her story to show what prosecutors say was a pattern of conduct.

This incident prompted a tribute by Rush Limbaugh via Bob Rivers’ classic….

2009

CNN’s Rick Sanchez alleged Hit-and-Run DUI, leaves victim Jeffrey Smuzinick paralyzed
WSVN-Ch.7 anchorman Rick Sanchez was charged on Friday with driving under the influence. The charge stems from a Dec. 10 accident during which Sanchez struck a pedestrian outside Joe Robbie Stadium, the Dade County State Attorney’s Office said. A blood test showed that Sanchez, 32, who lives in Pembroke Pines, was legally drunk when his 1991 Volvo hit Jeffrey Smuzinick, deputy chief prosecutor Kathleen Hoague said.

Sanchez’s alcohol level was .15. In Florida, .10 is considered drunk.

2011

Former ESPN personality Jay Mariotti charged with felony stalking and assault
Former ESPN sports personality Jay Mariotti has been charged with three felonies -– stalking, domestic violence and assault -– after he confronted his ex-girlfriend the same day a court ordered him to stay away from her, prosecutors said. He pleaded not guilty Wednesday to the charges: stalking, corporal injury on a spouse or domestic partner, and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury. He was also charged with two misdemeanor counts of disobeying a court order.

In addition to confronting his ex-girlfriend at a restaurant Sept. 30 — the day he pleaded no contest to one count of misdemeanor domestic violence — prosecutors said he argued with his former girlfriend again outside of a Venice restaurant April 15. He allegedly pulled a chunk of her hair out and grabbed her cellphone, while shouting at her, prosecutors said.

Howard Bryant, writer for ESPN, charged with domestic assault in Buckland
ESPN and the author of three books was arrested in front of Buckland Pizza and charged with assaulting his estranged wife and hitting a police officer who tried to subdue him, state police said.

Howard Bryant, 42, of Hawley Road in Ashfield, was arrested at about 12:15 p.m. Saturday and charged with domestic assault and battery, assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest, said state Trooper T.J. Tudryn of the Shelburne Falls barracks.

Former WJZ reporter arrested again in domestic violence case
Former television news personality Dennis Edwards is being held in the Baltimore city jail after police arrested him a second time in four days in connection with a domestic violence case involving his wife, according to court documents. A District Court judge on Monday set bail at $500,000 and scheduled a hearing for Feb. 2. The 54-year-old is charged with violating a protective order, telephone misuse, harassment and malicious destruction of property.

Police first arrested Edwards on Wednesday, Dec. 29, and charged him with assaulting his wife in their home on South Road. The woman told police that Edwards shoved her down and banged her head on the floor. He posted $20,000 bail and was released pending trial.

New York Times Tech Columnist David Pogue, Estranged Wife Charged With Disorderly Conduct In Westport
New York Times “gadget guru” David Pogue and his wife were arrested this week after the two tussled in their their Westport, CT, home, police said. Pogue, 48, and his wife Jennifer, 47, were both collared inside the Woody Lane home about 10:24 p.m. Monday when an argument between the two “turned physical,” Westport Town Police said.

Police captain Sam Arciola says an argument erupted, during which Jennifer allegedly bit David’s forearm. “Jennifer alleged that she was laying in bed reading a book, when David jumped on top of her, pinning her down and grabbing her iPhone from her hands. She then alleges that David had hit her in the head with the phone,” said Arciola.

2012

News anchor arrested on DUI charges
Amanda Davis, an anchor at WAGA in Atlanta, was driving northbound in the southbound lane of Piedmont Avenue near 14th Street in Midtown around 12:20 a.m. when the crash occurred, according to Atlanta police spokesman Gregory Lyon.

The investigating officer said he noticed that Davis smelled of alcohol. When he asked her if she had been drinking, she responded that she had, according to Lyon. During the course of the investigation, the officer determined he had reasonable cause to believe Davis was driving while impaired. Davis refused to a field sobriety test and state-administered chemical tests, Lyon said.

Former Tulsa TV Anchor Arrested On Meth Complaint
A former Tulsa TV news anchor was arrested on a drug complaint late Sunday night after officers searched his pickup truck following a traffic stop. According to jail records, a Tulsa Police officer stopped the pickup driven by Jerry Giordano just before midnight Sunday near 41st and South Harvard after the officer noticed it had an expired tag.

As the officer was doing an inventory of the pickup, he found a baggie in the driver’s seat containing a “dirty crystalline substance.” The officer wrote that he also found a baggie of “white crystalline substance” in the driver side door panel and a “large rock of crystalline substance” in the driver side door handle.

2013

KTSM anchor Adrienne Alvarez arrested on battery charge
Local TV news anchor Adrienne Alvarez was arrested Aug. 1 after police arrived at her home for a domestic violence incident. The 28-year old was charged with battery against a household member and was booked into the Doa Ana County Detention Center. She was released on bond at about 5 a.m. Aug. 1.

“We are aware of the arrest but will wait for more details before making any other comments,” Gary Sotir, general manager for KTSM/KDBC said in a statement.

KVIA morning weatherman arrested for alleged public intox, disorderly conduct
Channel 7-KVIA morning meterologist Jorge Torres was arrested early Sunday for allegedly causing a disturbance while drunk.

Jail records show Torres, 26, was booked on suspicion of public intoxication and disorderly conduct. He was released from the El Paso County Jail on Sunday evening after posting a $1,000 bond.

WISN’s Dan Needles arrested in domestic violence case
WISN-TV (Channel 12) sports director Dan Needles was arrested in connection with a domestic violence incident in Waukesha, police said Monday. Waukesha Police Sgt. Dave Wanner said Needles was arrested on Sunday and posted bail and was released.

On its website, WISN said Needles was arrested after an argument with his girlfriend in their home.

WLOS reporter John Le and wife arrested, both charged with misdemeanor assault
WLOS reporter John Le and his wife, Elizabeth Alicia Le, were both arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault early Saturday morning. An arrest warrant shows the two were arrested at their Brevard apartment about 1 a.m. on Saturday morning.

There is no other detail about the incident on the written report.

Greenwich Meteorologist Bill Evans, Wife Charged In Domestic Dispute
Old Greenwich resident and WABC-TV meteorologist Bill Evans and his wife, Dana, both face third-degree assault and disorderly conduct charges after an incident in their home, according to Greenwich police. Both Bill and Dana Evans turned themselves in to police after warrants were issued for their arrests in connection with an altercation that reportedly took place May 4, according to the police report.

Each was released on a promise to appear in Stamford Superior Court on June 17, according to the police report.

2014

Ex-CBS 2 anchor cleared of choking wife
Disgraced TV anchor Rob Morrison squirmed his way out of wife-choking charges Thursday, as a judge let him withdraw his guilty plea in return for finishing a domestic violence class. The former WCBS-Channel 2 anchor — who resigned after the February 2013 attack — saw all the domestic violence charges melt away at a brief hearing in a Stamford, Conn. court. He’s now ready to start anew, his lawyer said.

“He’ll end up with zero criminal record,” said Francis DiScala.

Shreveport Anchor Arrested for Drunk Driving
KTBS/Channel 3/Shreveport anchor Jody Lowery was arrested in Red River Parish for DWI on July 31st. State police booked Lowery under her full name: Jody Lowery Waldo. Lowery worked in Shreveport before taking a job in Tampa. But two years ago she returned to Shreveport to anchor the late news and do some reporting duties.

Few details have been released about her arrest.

KHOU announces anchor arrested on DWI charge
A popular Houston newsman found himself in the headlines Wednesday after his arrest on a DWI charge. KHOU-Channel 11 announced on its website that Ron Trevino, the station’s morning anchor, was arrested Tuesday night. But it did not add any details about what led to the charge.

According to Harris County court records, it is the 55-year-old’s first such offense. He was released from a city jail on $500 bond and his next court date is March 19.

Fox News’ Gregg Jarrett Arrested
Jarrett appeared to be drunk, acted belligerently and wouldn’t obey police orders, according to the police report. A bystander told the officer Jarrett had said he’d taken medication, though he told the officer he hadn’t. He told the officer he had begun drinking at 9 a.m. Jarrett was placed in a holding cell, where he struggled with the officer, who was trying to handcuff him. He was subsequently charged with obstructing the legal process by interfering with a peace officer, a misdemeanor.

2015

Wichita Reporter Arrested for Domestic Violence
Wichita NBC affiliate KSNW is reporting weekend anchor and reporter Brian Miller has been arrested for destruction of property/domestic violence.

“KSN is currently investigating the situation,” the station told viewers during its evening newscasts yesterday and on its website. “While that investigation continues, Brian will not appear on KSN.”

Former Fox40 anchor Sabrina Rodriguez sentenced in shoplifting case
After pleading no contest to a single misdemeanor theft charge and agreeing to pay $2,480 in restitution, the former Fox40 anchor Sabrina Rodriguez is expected to spend 30 days wearing a monitoring device on her ankle and then try to rebuild her life.

“I just really want to move on with my life, I really do,” Rodriguez, 31, said

2016

Domestic Violence Charges Against KNTV‘s Brent Cannon Emerge
Garcia-Cannon and her husband are separated now with charges of domestic violence against him pending in a South Bay courtroom. By all accounts, things have gotten out of hand with her accusing him of various pushes and shoves, and more extreme physical behavior. According to a source close to Garcia, she has visible bruises to prove it.

Garcia-Cannon is still, somehow, anchoring the morning show at KNTV under obviously extenuating circumstances. “I don’t know how she does it–what with all this over her head,” said a source.

Channel 2 Action News reporter charged with DUI
A Channel 2 Action News reporter was charged with driving under the influence after refusing to take a Breathalyzer during a traffic stop Wednesday morning. An Atlanta police officer said in a police report that he pulled over Tyisha Marie Fernandes at about 3 a.m. Wednesday on Piedmont Road after observing her car traveling at 66 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour zone.

2017

Kinky Details of CNN Anchor’s Central Park Arrest
CNN personality Richard Quest was arrested early Friday morning for drug possession when police found in Central Park well after the park’s 1 a.m. curfew. Sure, the initial reports said Quest told police he was carrying methamphetamime in his pocket, but leave it to the NY Post to add the really detailed details.

Not only did Quest have drugs, he also had a “rope around his neck that was tied to his genitals, and a sex toy in his boot.” That was so not in the NY Times’ account. The Post also reported, “It wasn’t immediately clear what the rope was for” and that “the officer at the scene was able to ID the drug because of ‘his prior experience as a police officer in drug arrests, observation of packaging which is characteristic of this type of drug, and defendant’s statements that… “I’ve got some meth in my pocket.”‘

WJLA anchor Autria Godfrey charged with public intoxication and trespassing
Autria Godfrey, a popular anchor at local ABC affiliate WJLA, was arrested last month and charged with public intoxication and trespassing, according to Arlington County court records, after allegedly getting into a fight in a bar and being asked to leave.

Godfrey, 33, who anchors the station’s “Good Morning Washington” show and “ABC7 News at Noon,” was charged with the two misdemeanor counts in the early-morning hours of Feb. 18 at the Clarendon Grill in Arlington, per the arrest records. A police spokeswoman said she was arrested when she returned to the bar against police warnings.

KUTV News anchor formally charged with DUI
Charges have been officially filed against KUTV News anchor Shauna Lake after she was arrested on suspicion of DUI last week.

Lake, whose full name is Shauna Lake Marshall, faces a class B misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence, a class C misdemeanor charge of using plates registered to another vehicle, a class C misdemeanor charge of open container in vehicle on highway and a vehicle registration infraction.

Police: Colleen Campbell Later Assaulted the World’s Most Patient Cop
By now, you’re probably familiar with the viral video of since-fired PHL 17 reporter Colleen Campbell ranting and raving and getting arrested outside of Helium Comedy Club on Sunday night. Earlier, we told you that the 28-year-old South Philadelphia woman had been charged with resisting arrest, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct, but now the Philadelphia Police Department is saying that it’s worse than we originally thought.

After transitioning from local news coverage in Philly to weather in West Virginia…

Colleen started in May of 2018 and – with hurricane-force winds – quickly rose to become the Chief. She did all of this while working a second job and pursuing her degree in meteorology.
WDTV, 12/3/20

Explains why so many so-called meteorologists get the weather wrong. Campbell joined the East Texas “weather team” at CBS19 in December 2020. 

BTW — Campbell has made several unsuccessful attempts to have our video of her removed from YouTube.

2018

Former television meteorologist jailed on felony domestic violence charge
Mark Prater, who in April left his job as chief meteorologist for CBS 42, was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Wednesday just after 3 p.m. According to jail records, Prater is charged with second-degree domestic violence/stalking.

The former award-winning television personality in the past had been named Birmingham’s Best News/Weather anchor on a number of occasions. The Associated Press also named him Alabama’s Best Weathercaster in 1999.

12 News reporter allegedly flees from law enforcement, intoxicated
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office website, Bryan Turner West, 30, was booked into jail Thursday. The charges include one count of unlawful flight from law enforcement, a class 5 felony, and four misdemeanor DUI counts, including super DUI, which requires a BAC above 0.20.

Mr. West is a reporter for 12 News- KPNX in Phoenix.

Embarrassing moment Florida TV anchor, 28, makes fun of white officer’s baldness and boasts about her master’s degree as she is arrested for drunk driving while claiming it’s racially motivated
A black television anchorwoman has been allowed back to work despite her arrest for drunk driving, as bodycam footage obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com shows her mocking officers and accusing them of arresting her because of her race.

Farron Salley, morning and weekend anchor at West Palm Beach’s Channel 25 in Florida, was welcomed back after a two-month leave after her arrest on December 15, 2018.

After a DUI Arrest, KSPR Anchor Frances Watson Returns to TV
KSPR anchor Frances Watson has returned to the air four months after being arrested for DUI in Springfield, Mo.

“As many of you know, it’s been four months since I have been on the air. I made a bad decision resulting in my arrest for drinking and driving. I was suspended and nearly lost everything I’ve worked hard for,” she said in a lengthy Facebook post. “It hasn’t been easy. It’s embarrassing and sad really. However, I’ve made the choice to own my mistake and not hide from it,” she continued.

The station never ran a story on her arrest back in December.

2019

Domestic violence charges dropped against former FOX 13 reporter
Domestic violence charges were dropped Friday against former FOX 13 reporter Scott Madaus. Madaus, 42, was arrested on the charges on Dec. 15, 2018. According to an affidavit, Madaus and the victim began fighting at his Midtown home after drinking a few glasses of wine, which upset the victim because Madaus had been sober for 20 days.

When officers arrived, they reported seeing the home vandalized and observing a scratch on the victim’s neck.

Tulsa Anchor Arrested on DUI Charges
KOKI noon anchor Tiffany Alaniz was arrested after driving drunk and crashing her car into a utility pole. According to Tulsa police, she flipped her car on Thursday night around 11:30 p.m.

Alaniz was not injured and refused medical help. Police say she showed signs of being intoxicated and underwent field testing from officers.

Tech reporter Peter Bright charged with soliciting child sex online
Tech reporter Peter Bright has been arrested for soliciting sex with children online. He was employed by Ars Technica until recently.

A federal complaint alleges that Bright sought to molest a 7- and 9-year-old and met with an undercover agent for this purpose, at which point he was arrested. It also states that Bright claimed to be in a sexual relationship with an 11-year-old. He is currently being held without bail.

Of course, seeing how news directors are the ultimate gatekeepers as to what is considered presentable to the public, we really have no idea just how many other journalists and news personalities have been busted

Media professionals salivate at the opportunity to report on any of us, no matter how devastating it is personally and professionally. But they get all protective of their private information when their activities put them in the spotlight.

Sucks, don’t it?

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