Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas Placed on Leave by Telemundo

Telemundo 52 reporter Mirthala Salinas, top left in red, at a news conference by Villaraigosa outside Gov. Schwarzenegger’s office in Sacramento on June 20, 2006, when the mayor was stumping for a bill that would give him more control over the L.A. Unified School District.

Mayor’s girlfriend is placed on leave

Telemundo took the action while it investigates whether anchor Mirthala Salinas breached journalistic ethics by having a relationship with Antonio Villaraigosa.

Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo placed newscaster Mirthala Salinas on leave today while it conducts an internal investigation into whether she breached journalistic ethics by having a relationship with someone she covered: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

“As we have stated, we are committed to journalistic excellence,” said Manuel Abud, general manager of KVEA Channel 52. “Given the seriousness of the allegations that have been made, we have decided to conduct an internal review of the decisions and events that led us to where we are today. In the meantime, Salinas has been placed on a leave of absence from her duties pending this review.

“We will conduct this investigation with the utmost respect to personal privacy and journalistic standards.”
Salinas, 35, declined to comment through a spokesperson. A spokesman for Villaraigosa said the mayor would have no comment at this time.

Telemundo is owned by NBC-Universal. This is the same company who fired KNBC reporter Kyung Lah who had an affair in the workplace. Is there any doubt she will be fired due to her “personal relationships” with Mayor Villaraigosa and California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez while she was reporting on their activities for Telemundo?

Will the Mayor rise to her defense?

Related links:

Mayor reveals romantic link with TV newscaster

At L.A. City Hall, the summer of love

When affairs make news

A sizzling summer at City Hall

Villaraigosa and Salinas wait out a pause in filming on the north steps of the state Capitol. Salinas is now a news anchor on Telemundo 52, June 19, 2006.

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