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Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas’ Condo Prompts Ethics Questions for Mayor
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (L) laughs with Britain’s David Beckham during an LA Galaxy news conference introducing Beckham as the newest member of the MLS soccer league team in Carson, California, July 13, 2007.
While Los Angeles Mayor Antonio gets back to city business with David Beckham above (although the Mayor was roundly booed) new questions arise with his relationship with Telemundo Channel 52 political reporter Mirthala Salinas. This time the FLAP is regarding the purchase of Ms. Salinas’ one bedroom Studio City condominuim in 2006.
KNBC television channel 4 is reporting this morning that Mirthala Salinas bought the condominium from one of Mayor Villaraigosa’s campaign contributors and CFO of a powerful lobbying and PR firm which has a long history of doing business with the City of Los Angeles. This contributor says he never met the buyer and did not know who she was. The Mayor too says he was in the dark.
“I actually has no knowledge of who sold what to who,” said Villaraigosa. “And my staff responded to that.”
Mirthala Salinas reportedly paid $500,000 for the condominium. A spokesperson for the Mayor said that was the going rate at the time.
From Mayor Sam (Via Luke Ford):
A campaign backer apparently sold Mirthala her Condo at below market value.
I’m sure appointments, promotions of Sabrina Kay’s fashion line, and various other conflicts-of-interest would be of great interest to Rocky and others who would like to advance over Big Love.
Bottom line: Big Love wants to be Gov. There are many other politicians who would like that also. Getting Big Love’s scalp as part of anti-corruption would be a way of both blocking Big Love and proving to voters that said pol is tough on corruption and deserving of votes.
Screwing around on your wife and screwing your buddies wives is not illegal (though despicable). Conflict of interest violations for your mistresses CAN potentially be illegal depending on the law.
So, who was the campaign contributor?
Steve Bullock, CFO of Cerrell and Associates.
Steve Bullock, Chief Financial Officer of Cerrell and Associates
At a dinner last night, which the Mayor attended, Steve Bullock who donated $1,000 to Villaraigosa in 2005, was asked about the sale of the Studio City condominium to Mirthala Salinas. His reply: “Very straight up real estate transaction. Never met the buyer. Did not know who she was.”
A spokesperson for the Mayor maintains the Mayor had NO involvement in the sale.
A $500,000 blind real estate sale for a friend/mistress of the Mayor of Los Angeles and you know nothing about it? And you are a Chief Financial Officer of a PR and political consulting firm that represent clients doing business with the City of Los Angeles and you know nothing?
And you expect Flap or anyone else to believe this?
Flap thinks this is the tip of the iceberg for Mayor Villaraigosa. More ethical questons upon more ethical questions.
Flap asks: when will the Los Angeles County Grand Jury involve itself in this matter?
During the course of a television interview on June 19, 2006, Villaraigosa walks with Salinas outside the state Capitol.
Stay tuned……..
Linked to Christy’s Coffee BreakÂ
Previous:Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: The Redemption Tour Or A Lesson in How To Spin the Truth
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: He’s BACK
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Monday Antonio and Mirthala
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Sabrina Kay Rumors Heat Up Los Angeles City Hall
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Fading Latino Star – Another Alleged Affair Leaves Questions
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas Placed on Leave by Telemundo
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Still A Contender for California Governor in 2008?
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: The End of a Political Career
Technorati Tags: Antonio Villaraigosa, Mirthala Salinas, TelemundoFabian NunezSabrina Kay
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Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: The Redemption Tour Or A Lesson in How To Spin the Truth
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa directs high school students during a clean-up project in the Chinatown section of Los Angeles Tuesday, July 10, 2007, as a kick-off event for a summer youth employment program.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa continues on his “REDEMPTION TOUR” around the city as he hopes to distract voters from his recent disclosure of an affair with Mirthala Salinas, a Telemundo Channel 52 political reporter (since placed on leave) and the break up of his long term marriage.
Antonio touts jobs for young people
Continuing his redemption tour around the city, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa promoted summer jobs for youths Tuesday as he reiterated his hope that voters will overlook the drama in his personal life and focus on his accomplishments as mayor.
At an event in Chinatown, where he was greeted by more than a dozen young people who have their first jobs under city programs, Villaraigosa also insisted he will play a visible and active role in the presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.“I’m here today to focus on jobs for young people,” Villaraigosa said after being asked about the impact of his extramarital affair on support from Latinas.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa greet students and members of the parent union at a press conference where it was announced that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will spend $7.8 million to open 10 new high schools in the community served by the Alain Leroy Locke Senior High SChool in Watts, at the Green Dot Public Schools Headquarters in Los Angeles, Monday, July 9, 2007.
Mayor Villar seems to be folowing Mayor Sam’s advice:
Wax indignant. This is also known as the “how dare you?” gambit.
Characterize the charges as “rumors” or, better yet, “wild rumors.” If, in spite of the news blackout, the public is still able to learn about the suspicious facts, it can only be through “rumors.”
Call the skeptics names like “conspiracy theorist,” “nut,” “ranter,” “kook,” “crackpot,” and of course, “rumor monger.” You must then carefully avoid fair and open debate with any of the people you have thus maligned.
Impugn motives. Attempt to marginalize the critics by suggesting strongly that they are not really interested in the truth but are simply pursuing a partisan political agenda or are out to make money.Come half-clean. This is also known as “confession and avoidance” or “taking the limited hang-out route.” This way, you create the impression of candor and honesty while you admit only to relatively harmless, less-than-criminal “mistakes.” This stratagem often requires the embrace of a fall-back position quite different from the one originally taken.
Change the subject. This technique includes creating and/or reporting a distraction.Or the advice of David Martin – Thirteen Techniques for Truth Suppression.
In the meantime, Mirthala Salinas is trying to get her job at Telemundo back – remember Mirthala is on leave pending an ethics invesigation.
The Mayor is resuming a normal event calendar and attempting to sweep his affair under the carpet of daily news events. If it worked for Bill Clinton then perhaps it will work for the Mayor.
But, the divorce is looming…….
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, center, directs high school students during a clean-up project in the Chinatown section of Los Angeles, Tuesday, July 10, 2007, as a kick-off event for a summer youth employment program.
Previous:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: He’s BACK
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Monday Antonio and Mirthala
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Sabrina Kay Rumors Heat Up Los Angeles City Hall
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Fading Latino Star – Another Alleged Affair Leaves Questions
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas Placed on Leave by Telemundo
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Still A Contender for California Governor in 2008?
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: The End of a Political Career
Technorati Tags: Antonio Villaraigosa, Mirthala Salinas, TelemundoFabian NunezSabrina Kay
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Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Sabrina Kay Says NO To Affair with Mayor; Mayor Says NO to Other Affairs
Los Angeles City Planning Commissioner and Philanthropist Sabrina Kay
Commissioner says leave her out of this
Some anti-Villaraigosa blogs have been gleefully spreading anonymous hearsay that city planning commissioner Sabrina Kay is another girlfriend of the mayor. At today’s photo op du jour, he flatly denied that there have been any other women in his recent past — “a definitive, absolute no.” Kay issued a statement of her own:
Sabrina Kay’s statement:
Regarding the allegations being bantered about concerning myself and the Mayor, let me say most emphatically that they are completely false. I have never had a romantic relationship with anyone in City government, or any other government for that matter.
I thought we had long passed the time when society thought a woman could succeed in only one way. I have spent my entire professional career trying to do the right thing. That is the only reason I accepted the challenges of assisting the City in its efforts to expand its commercial base. I cannot express how hurt I am that after so much effort, my success is trivialized in this way.
This will be my last comment on this completely false non-story.
Ok, Flap can accept her denial.
But, why is her relationship with the Mayor being played up so big in the Korean Press?
Remember this:
And the translation:
Sabrina Kay (Chung Hee Kim) is an influential Korean-American designer in L.A. She’s also a long-time political ally of Villaraigosa, going back to when he was in the California state legislature, when she hosted fundraising parties for him. Recently, since his election as mayor, Villaraigosa brought Kay with him (and about 10 others) on a visit to China, Japan, and Korea. This was in the fall of 2006. Although the visit was supposedly for the purpose of attracting Asian investment in LA, the article’s sources say the trip was not well planned, did not result in meetings with Korea’s most important corporate leaders, and did not bring in any significant investment for LA. The paper wonders what was the mayor’s intention of visiting Korea.
The one memorable event was when Villaraigosa appeared as a model in Sabrina Kay’s fashion show wearing her clothing (pictured above). The fashion show was sponsored by the Hyundai Dept. Store. It was meant to promote LA’s fashion industry.
The tour generated considerable gossip. One source says the article doesn’t quite say the gossip was of a romantic nature. Another source says the article rumors that Kay is the mayor’s mistress. The article suggests that the mayor was giving Kay a lot of free publicity, by implying an endorsement.
The article also wonders how Kay, a fashion designer, landed in the LA Planning Commission position.
Good question: why a rich fashion designer who made her fortune in CAD-CAM fashion design is now dealing with planning and community development issues? And Mayor Villar DID appoint her.
But, alas, the LA Mayor denied yesterday any other romantic relationships other than the one with Mirthala Salinas – the one which broke up his long term marriage.
What about rumors of a relationship between Villaraigosa and yet another woman?
“Mr. Mayor, since you took office July 1 of ’05, have you had any other romantic relationships other than with Ms. Salinas?” one reporter asked at a news conference in Eagle Rock ostensibly to tout Villaraigosa’s plan for filling 350,000 potholes next year.
“No,” Villaraigosa replied curtly as the news conference devolved into a chaotic free-for-all with reporters shoving their microphones in his face and shouting questions in English and Spanish.
At a banquet in Shanghai China the LA Planning Commissioner, Sabrina Kay, stands by her mayor
End of story?
Doubtful………
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa arrives for a news conference about his relationship with Telemundo newscaster Mirthala Salinas. He was at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to attend the swearing-in ceremony for the Los Angeles school board.
Previous:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: He’s BACK
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Monday Antonio and Mirthala
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Sabrina Kay Rumors Heat Up Los Angeles City Hall
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Fading Latino Star – Another Alleged Affair Leaves Questions
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas Placed on Leave by Telemundo
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Still A Contender for California Governor in 2008?
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: The End of a Political Career
Technorati Tags: Antonio Villaraigosa, Mirthala Salinas, TelemundoFabian NunezSabrina Kay
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Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: He’s BACK
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa arrives for a news conference about his relationship with Telemundo newscaster Mirthala Salinas. He was at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to attend the swearing-in ceremony for the Los Angeles school board.
LA mayor returns to public stage
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa emerged from seclusion Monday to attend a news conference on school funding, his first public appearance since he confirmed an extramarital affair with a TV newscaster.
Villaraigosa maneuvered through reporters in the hallway before the event, flashing his trademark smile but ignoring shouted questions about reporter Mirthala Salinas.
When asked if he was trying to burnish his image by returning to city business, he replied: “Just doing my job.”Villaraigosa, 54, disappeared after confirming his relationship with Salinas on July 3. He had no public appearances on the Fourth of July and skipped the official opening of New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Los Angeles headquarters even though he is a national co-chairman of her presidential campaign.
Look for pothole filling ceremonies and a news conference with Cardinal Mahoney. Then……
Might the good Mayor be heading to rehab? And why not? Everyone else does.
Note: No answers to any questions – who will squeal first? Any bets?
Maybe he will take LA Times
apologistcolumnist Gregory Rodriguez’s advice:The mayor is getting lots of advice right now from all over. Here’s mine: Stop trying so damned hard to be liked. The ridiculous across-the-board perfection you and your deputies seek to portray ultimately works against you. You don’t have to be Superman. The public is more likely to respect you if they know that you know that you are as flawed as they are.
Doubtful……..
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa greet students and members of the parent union at a press conference where it was announced that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will spend $7.8 million to open 10 new high schools in the community served by the Alain Leroy Locke Senior High SChool in Watts, at the Green Dot Public Schools Headquarters in Los Angeles, Monday, July 9, 2007.
Update:
Now the AP says the Mayor made some brief comments:
“I made a mistake,” Villaraigosa said, after being asked if disclosures about the affair had damaged his credibility.
“I’m not perfect. I’ve always said that when you do something that undermines your support in some way or causes people to lose faith in you in some way, you’ve just got to get back and accept your responsibility and do your job.”
Guess he read Rodriguez’s column.
Update #2
Mayor Tries To Switch Media Focus From His Personal To Work Life
At a news conference announcing a grant by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to build charter schools in Watts, the beleaguered mayor was surrounded by reporters asking whether his affair with Mirthala Salinas. The mayor was asked if there were any other affairs, KNBC’s Conan Nolan reported.
“The answer is no,” he said. “But I’m not going to respond to all of those issues. We’re going to focus on our job. Look, I accept responsibility. I obviously caused a great deal of pain to my family, to many people involved here. Some people feel let down and I understand that. And I’m going to focus on my job, do the best job I can for the city of Los Angeles and the people will have to evaluate me based on that.”Well, did he say NO OTHER AFFAIRS?
Or NO he would not discuss them or respond to that question?
Hummmmmmmm
More questions.
Did the Mayor give himself wiggle room in case another person comes forward?
And he defended Mirthala Salinas:
Villaraigosa said Monday he does not believe Salinas acted inappropriately.
“My hope and expectation is that the review of this matter by the management at Telemundo and NBC will vindicate her and, of course, I wish her the best of luck in that regard,” he said.
Salinas issued a statement last week saying she welcomed the investigation and believed she would be vindicated.
“I welcome Telemundo’s decision to conduct a comprehensive review of the matter and respect their desire that I allow the review to be completed before returning to work,” she said. “I will cooperate with the station and appreciate their commitment to undertaking a thorough review of this situation. I’m confident that when all the facts are analyzed, it will be clear that I conducted myself in an appropriate way.”
A rather weak defense, wouldn’t you say?
Is Mirthala being thrown overboard?
Stay tuned……
Previous:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Monday Antonio and Mirthala
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Sabrina Kay Rumors Heat Up Los Angeles City Hall
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Fading Latino Star – Another Alleged Affair Leaves Questions
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas Placed on Leave by Telemundo
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Still A Contender for California Governor in 2008?
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: The End of a Political Career
Technorati Tags: Antonio Villaraigosa, Mirthala Salinas, TelemundoFabian NunezSabrina Kay
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Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Monday Antonio and Mirthala
While everyone is waiting Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to emerge from self-imposed media exile and begin his political rehabilitation we will review:
Here is a round-up from Kevin Roderick at LA Observed:
- George Skelton: “Villaraigosa was heralded as a rising star until very recently. Now he’s in danger of flaming out….Turns out he lacked the self-discipline to avoid scandal.” LAT
- Gregory Rodriguez: “In both mayoral campaigns, Hahn aides whispered to me and others about having a ‘nuke bomb’ about Villaraigosa’s alleged extramarital lapses…Having followed his career, covered him and talked to countless others about him in the years since, I am not the least bit surprised by his current predicament.” LAT
- Tony Castro: “Praying for the mayor is her way of handling her anger and disillusionment about his affair – an affront she, like a lot of Latinas, is taking personally. So much of an affront, political analysts say, that it threatens his longtime core support: Latinas for whom Villaraigosa was once the Latino prodigal son.” DN
- Tim Rutten: “Clearly, the mayor would not be in the fix he’s in — and it’s quite a fix — without the emergence of a vigorous online media that is reshaping the city’s political landscape….Salinas and Villaraigosa have behaved recklessly in an environment that, for better or worse, has become unforgiving.” LAT
- Earl Ofari Hutchinson: “She is not a nameless, faceless woman swept up in an impassioned affair with Villaraigosa. She is a respected and influential newscaster known to thousands of viewers. They rely on her to present an objective and honest appraisal of the personalities and the issues that she reports on. That’s not to say that Salinas didn’t report objectively about Villaraigosa. It just raises questions.” DN
- “All I can say is that if I were him, I wouldn’t make any plans to run for the Democratic nomination [for governor] in 2010,” said [Larry] Gerston, a political science professor at San Jose State. LAT
- Chris Weinkopf: “Villaraigosa has so far shown no sense of wrongdoing, let alone contrition. It’s ironic, because he should know better than anyone the heartbreak a departing dad can inflict.” DN
- Mariel Garza: “Villaraigosa will do a little squirming, give us all the sad eyes (except maybe a special wink for that cute young reporter on the side), and wait it out until Paris Hilton gets in trouble again and the cameras move on….But Salinas might have to go to Salinas to get a job in Spanish-language TV news after this.” DN
- Editorial: “If Salinas is telling the truth, then the station was guilty not just of violating journalistic standards, but of violating the integrity of one of its star reporters.” DN
- “While Salinas insists she has conducted herself in an ‘appropriate way,’ her former lover is fighting for his political life.” U.K. Sunday Mail:
- “He seemed so great, San,” says L.A., her voice cracking just a bit. “A great image — hardworking, charismatic, so politically adept — you know, one of those captivating guys that brings people together and gets things done….And we all bought it.” San Antonio Express-News
City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa is interviewed by reporter Mirthala Salinas of Telemundo at Factor’s Famous Deli on May 19, 2005 in Los Angeles
And here is Kevin Roderick over at KCRW:
As most everybody now knows, Antonio Villaraigosa has a girlfriend on the side. He’s had her for most of the two years he’s been in charge at City Hall.
We all learned about it because the little Daily News outhustled the Times and forced the mayor to cop to his secret life.
In this same spot three weeks ago, I admitted to not knowing if the mayor was having an affair. I had heard the rumors, like most of the journalists who observe Villaraigosa.
I knew that he came with a reputation as a womanizer.
But I never tried to prove he was cheating on his wife, Corina — I didn’t care that much.
I care more now, after a flurry of plot twists that would make for a pretty steamy telenovela.
Ok, the press was giving Hizzoner a PASS and a big one at that…..let’s move on…..
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.
Flap’s friend Mayor Sam has some juicy links, tidbits and poop:
Latinas in Los Angeles are reportedly dropping their support for the Mayor in droves. Many of them who supported Villaraigosa in the past are saying never again. One woman interviewed by the Whittier Daily News prays and lights candles for the Mayor and his estranged wife as a way of “handling her anger and disillusionment.”
Reports are that Mayor V plans to begin a major rehabilitation effort starting Monday including an all out assault on potholes and alleged spiritual counseling from Cardinal Roger Mahoney.
Well, maybe Bill Clinton will be called in for damage control as well. But, what about Sabrina Kay and the mystery Metro LAPD officer and for that matter as Luke Ford raised yesterday, what about these possibles:
Cecile Ablack
Tina Choi, planning commissionerUnnamed Deputy on mayor’s security detail
Cynthia Ruiz (president of the Board of Public Works of the City of Los Angeles)
Celine Cordero (Homeland security for Los Angeles)
Jennie Carreon de Lacey (LAUSD school administrator)
Patricia Higuera (more, more) Pregnant Latina La Raza Activist Attorney
Haco Hoang – Policy analyst for mayor, Poli Sci prof gets smashed on this thread
Flap understands why Cardinal Mahoney will counsel Mayor Villar – SEX ADDICTION. Mahoney knows all about this affliction, now doesn’t he?
Los Angeles City Planning Commissioner and Philanthropist Sabrina Kay
Radar Online reports that Mayor Villaraigosa’s situation definitely presents a big problem for Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Writing in the Daily News Earl Ofari Hutchinson says that the Mayor’s relationship with Mirthala Salinas “crosses the line” and raises troubling questions when an elected official has an affair with a journalist.
Newsbusters points out that he LA Times makes quite a dumb point in an editorial claiming that Republicans seem to get away with affairs more than Democrats. I guess they forgot about Bill Clinton avoiding conviction on impeachment. The more I think about it I don’t see the point of the Times’ logic.
The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin is living in some kind of fantasy world. The paper editorializes that these sex scandals won’t hurt the Mayor and that he has some kind of “potential.”
Ok, is that enough for Monday morning?
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s admission that he has a relationship with TV anchor Mirthala Salinas comes less than a month after he announced his separation from his wife of two decades, Corina Villaraigosa. She filed for divorce the next day.
One more…….
Corina might be the most sympathetic character in the affaire d’mayor. But Mirthala Salinas, the proverbial other woman, loses a lot as well. Besides being cast as the evil interloper and a serial-Latino-politician-dater, her rising journalistic star is falling. She’s lost her credibility, her reputation and maybe even her high-profile job at Telemundo. After that, not even Rocky Delgadillo would date her.
OUCH……
Previous:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Sabrina Kay Rumors Heat Up Los Angeles City Hall
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Fading Latino Star – Another Alleged Affair Leaves Questions
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas Placed on Leave by Telemundo
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Still A Contender for California Governor in 2008?
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: The End of a Political Career
Technorati Tags: Antonio Villaraigosa, Mirthala Salinas, Telemundo Fabian NunezSabrina Kay
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Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Latinas Feel Betrayed As MORE Rumors Circulate; Update: More Women to Watch?
Los Angeles Mayor-elect Antonio R. Villaraigosa sits with his wife Corina as they listen to speakers from different faiths at the Interfaith Prayer Service for the Inauguration of Villaraigosa at the Cathedral of Our lady Queen of Angeles, in this Friday, July 1, 2005 photo, in Los Angeles. Villaraigosa, who is in the midst of divorce proceedings with his wife, acknowledged Tuesday, July 3, 2007 that he is in a relationship with a Spanish-language television reporter, Mirthala Salinas.
Latinas feel Antonio betrayed them
In Los Angeles parishes, women pray for the mayor
A black lace mantilla draped over her head, Matilda Salas knelt at a side altar of downtown’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, immersed in solemn prayer, a rosary of black crystals clutched in her tiny hands.
When she finished, she carefully lit two votive candles, as she had done since Tuesday, the day she learned of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s admitted extramarital affair.
“I light one candle for Antonio and one candle for (his wife),” said Salas, 56. “I pray that with God’s help, they find a way of reconciling.
“If they don’t, Antonio is lost. He is lost to his family. He is lost to himself. Most importantly, he is lost to God.”
For Salas, praying for the mayor is her way of handling her anger and disillusionment about his affair – an affront she, like a lot of Latinas, is taking personally.So much of an affront, political analysts say, that it threatens his longtime core support: Latinas for whom Villaraigosa was once the Latino prodigal son.
Let’s recap while the prayers are oozing forth for Mayor Villaraigosa in Los Angeles:
Remember Los Angeles Latino leaders being nonplussed with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s admission of an affair with Telemundo Channel 52 political reporter Mirthala Salinas.
And you remember yesterday mornings rumor that it was Salinas who “gave up†the Mayor because he was having an affair with yet another woman.
Mayor Antonio Villaragiosa’s affair with Mirthala Salinas was disclosed by Salinas herself because Mayor Villaraigosa was having an affair with another woman – unnamed Korean female developer.
The story goes that the “girlfriend†of a particular member of the City Council has “disclosed†that it was none other than Mirthala Salinas herself who allegedly leaked news of the affair she was having with the Mayor. Salinas’ motivation? The Mayor had allegedly already moved on to a new relationship with an unnamed Korean female developer – and as they say “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.†(One of our readers posted a similar claim.)
And apparently it was the rumored relationship with the developer – and not necessarily Salinas – that was the final straw for Corina Raigosa, prompting her to file for divorce.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s admission that he has a relationship with TV anchor Mirthala Salinas comes less than a month after he announced his separation from his wife of two decades, Corina Villaraigosa. She filed for divorce the next day.
Mirthala Salinas who was a political report for Telemundo Channel 52 in Los Angeles that is owned by NBC-Universal was placed on leave pending an ethics investigation. It seems Mayor Villaraigosa was not the only politician with whom she has had a “personal relationship” as well as a professional news media one.
Mirthala Salinas, a Telemundo newswoman, interviews L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at the state Capitol on June 21, 2006. Villaraigosa has now acknowledged that he has “a relationship†with Salinas.
And then there was yesterday’s rumor about Sabrina Kay, the Los Angeles City Planning Commissioner being the “other woman” to the Villaraigosa – Salinas Affair.
Los Angeles City Planning Commissioner and Philanthropist Sabrina Kay
This morning Gateway pundit has more about the Sabrina Kay affair:
Sabrina Kay was invited to Mayor Villagairosa’s inauguration but they say they have known each other for 10 years.
Kay is a fashion designer who is also serving as a commissioner of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission(?)
Back in October 2006 the Korean Sunday Journal wrote this about Sabrina Kay and Mayor Villaraigosa and their trip together to Korea:
The translation:
Sabrina Kay (Chung Hee Kim) is an influential Korean-American designer in L.A. She’s also a long-time political ally of Villaraigosa, going back to when he was in the California state legislature, when she hosted fundraising parties for him. Recently, since his election as mayor, Villaraigosa brought Kay with him (and about 10 others) on a visit to China, Japan, and Korea. This was in the fall of 2006. Although the visit was supposedly for the purpose of attracting Asian investment in LA, the article’s sources say the trip was not well planned, did not result in meetings with Korea’s most important corporate leaders, and did not bring in any significant investment for LA. The paper wonders what was the mayor’s intention of visiting Korea.
The one memorable event was when Villaraigosa appeared as a model in Sabrina Kay’s fashion show wearing her clothing (pictured above). The fashion show was sponsored by the Hyundai Dept. Store. It was meant to promote LA’s fashion industry.
The tour generated considerable gossip. One source says the article doesn’t quite say the gossip was of a romantic nature. Another source says the article rumors that Kay is the mayor’s mistress. The article suggests that the mayor was giving Kay a lot of free publicity, by implying an endorsement.
The article also wonders how Kay, a fashion designer, landed in the LA Planning Commission position.
So, there appears to be some sort of relationship here between the Mayor and one of his Planning Commissioners, but what is it?
Did Mirthala Salinas “OUT” the Mayor because of her “FAILED” affair with the Mayor? Or did someone else?
But, wait you ask? Where is the Mayor? Why is he not answering these questions?
Better yet why is the MSM and in particular the Los Angeles Times not covering this story and asking the HARD questions?
Are they protecting him? This piece may shed some light.
At a banquet in Shanghai China the LA Planning Commissioner, Sabrian Kay, stands by her mayor
Back to the Latinas of Los Angeles and the praying:
Latinas on the Eastside and in northeast Los Angeles forgave Villaraigosa’s 1994 extramarital affair after he and wife Corina reconciled, and they became a formidable contingent of his two mayoral campaigns – efforts in which Villaraigosa made his family life and values a key element of his appeal.
But many Latinas are now saying they never will think of the mayor in the same way again in the wake of his admission last week that he has been carrying on an extramarital affair with Telemundo anchorwoman Mirthala Salinas that has resulted in the breakup of his 20-year marriage.
“Whether this affair poses a threat to Antonio’s political future is debatable,” said Los Angeles attorney Alex Jacinto, a longtime veteran of Eastside politics.
Flap does not think it is so debatable. Multiple affairs at different times of his marriage with multiple women at the same time. Two children born from two different unmarried women previous to his marriage – Flap never heard this during this campaign against Mayor Jimmy Hahn.
Do you see a pattern here?
And now, a Flap commenter is hinting at Mayor Villaraigosa dating an LAPD officer on his security detail:
Here’s the latest I heard from inside sources — the Mayor has been dating a woman on his security detail after
dumping the t.v. anchor. The Mayor allegedly spotted her at the police dept. and said he wanted the woman he saw on his detail. He was told only those from the Metro division are assigned to this kind of detail and it’s very hard to make that happen. Apparently getting into Metro division is not an easy task and is highly sought after. Allegedly, strings were pulled and this woman whisked through the process and ended up on his detail– this one would be easy to check–find out who the new woman on detail is who was moved into Metro with a quick and speedy and highly unusual transfer to be with the Mayor. Confirm with LAPD sources to suss out veracity.And this is not the first time this was mentioned in the blogs (H/T Luke Ford).
Anyone out there from the LAPD have the story?
During the course of a television interview on June 19, 2006, Villaraigosa walks with Salinas outside the state Capitol.
Update:
Luke Ford has the poop on more possible women with “personal relationships” with the Mayor:
Cecile Ablack
Tina Choi, planning commissionerUnnamed Deputy on mayor’s security detail
Cynthia Ruiz (president of the Board of Public Works of the City of Los Angeles)
Celine Cordero (Homeland security for Los Angeles)
Jennie Carreon de Lacey (LAUSD school administrator)
Patricia Higuera (more, more) Pregnant Latina La Raza Activist Attorney
Haco Hoang – Policy analyst for mayor, Poli Sci prof gets smashed on this thread
Anyone heard yet from the LAPD?
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Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Fading Latino Star – Another Alleged Affair Leaves Questions
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas Placed on Leave by Telemundo
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Still A Contender for California Governor in 2008?
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Technorati Tags: Antonio Villaraigosa, Mirthala Salinas, Telemundo Fabian NunezSabrina Kay
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Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Sabrina Kay Rumors Heat Up Los Angeles City Hall
Los Angeles City Planning Commissioner and Philanthropist Sabrina Kay
Remember Los Angeles Latino leaders being nonplussed with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s admission of an affair with Telemundo Channel 52 political reporter Mirthala Salinas.
And you remember this mornings rumor that it was Salinas who “gave up” the Mayor because he was having an affair with yet another woman.
Mayor Antonio Villaragiosa’s affair with Mirthala Salinas was disclosed by Salinas herself because Mayor Villaraigosa was having an affair with another woman – unnamed Korean female developer.
The story goes that the “girlfriend†of a particular member of the City Council has “disclosed†that it was none other than Mirthala Salinas herself who allegedly leaked news of the affair she was having with the Mayor. Salinas’ motivation? The Mayor had allegedly already moved on to a new relationship with an unnamed Korean female developer – and as they say “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.†(One of our readers posted a similar claim.)
And apparently it was the rumored relationship with the developer – and not necessarily Salinas – that was the final straw for Corina Raigosa, prompting her to file for divorce.
At a banquet in Shanghai China the LA Planning Commissioner stands by her mayor
Well, Gateway Pundit puts a name to the rumor – Sabrina Kay:
Now… fingers are pointing again at City Hall.
Sources say that the mayor’s new love in none other than the LA City Planning Commissioner Sabrina Kay. Kay is a fashion designer who is also serving as a commissioner of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission(?)
Apparently, Ms. Kay has been telling the Korean media (Korea Times was named) that she is has been his “mistress” for awhile… (I am still looking for the source).
Maybe this explains why Mayor Villaraigosa skipped the OFFICIAL opening of Senator Hillary Clinton’s Presidential Campaign Headquarters in LOS ANGELES, even though he is a National Co-Chair of her campaign!
First it is Mirthala Salinas; now it is Sabrina Kay.
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 (now on leave).
Will the Mayor have another presser to explain this turn of events? Was it a cat fight between the “other women” that destroyed his long term marriage and his political career?
Wow, the Mayor has some explaining to do.
Will she start another company someday? Seems likely: Kay has already set up a venture capital firm called Fashion Umbrella that funds fledgling apparel companies. Still, she’s in no rush to get back in the CEO seat. “The life I have now gives me a chance to be a normal human being. My company was a passionate love affair for 14 years, but I never had a social life. It would be nice to get married and have a family. That’s something I just never got around to.”
As for Mayor Villar’s politics:
Mayor Villaraigosa is DONE – PUT A FORK IN HIM
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Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Fading Latino Star – Another Alleged Affair Leaves Questions
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas Placed on Leave by Telemundo
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Still A Contender for California Governor in 2008?
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: The End of a Political Career
Technorati Tags: Antonio Villaraigosa, Mirthala Salinas, Telemundo Fabian NunezSabrina Kay
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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
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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Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Still A Contender for California Governor in 2008?
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: The End of a Political Career
Technorati Tags: Antonio Villaraigosa, Mirthala Salinas, Telemundo Fabian Nunez
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Antonio Villaraigosa, California, California Election 2008, Los Angeles, Mirthala Salinas, Telemundo
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Still A Contender for California Governor in 2008?
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa tells reporters, “I have a relationship with Ms. (Mirthala) Salinas, and I take full responsibility for my actions.†Salinas is an evening anchor for Telemundo, Channel 52.
Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa has an affair with a Telemundo, Channel 52 political reporter who has also had personal relationships with other California politicians (Fabien Nunez and Alex Padilla) she has covered on her political beat. They Mayor’s wife Corrina has filed for divorce and Mayor Villaraigosa is attempting to quell the political scandal.
This Sacramento Bee piece says “NO HARM NO FOUL”: Despite affair, Villaraigosa still seen as 2010 contender
Don’t dismiss Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa from the 2010 governor’s race just because he revealed Tuesday he had an ongoing extramarital relationship, political analysts say.
Many believe Villaraigosa’s revelation will have only a marginal impact on the Democrat’s chances to win the state’s top office in three years. The former Assembly speaker is still considered among the early front-runners in a large field once Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is termed out.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s admission that he has a relationship with TV anchor Mirthala Salinas comes less than a month after he announced his separation from his wife of two decades, Corina Villaraigosa. She filed for divorce the next day.
Villaraigosa said Tuesday he has had a relationship with reporter Mirthala Salinas of the Spanish language network Telemundo that has evolved over time, according to a recording posted online by the Los Angeles Times.
Salinas once covered the mayor as a political reporter. About a year ago, Villaraigosa said, the relationship “had grown to a point where it was necessary to inform her management that she shouldn’t cover me. … They agreed,” the Associated Press reported.
The acknowledgment of the relationship came after the mayor separated last month from his wife, Corina, who has since filed for divorce. At the time, Villaraigosa took responsibility for the breakup but refused to answer questions about what he had done to cause it. He acknowledged the relationship Tuesday after the Los Angeles Daily News confirmed his involvement with Salinas through his 88-year-old mother-in-law.
Let’s look at the quotes of the political analysts:
Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a University of Southern California political science professor:
“If it looks like Antonio Villaraigosa has the best chance of taking back the Governor’s Office, California Democrats will be very forgiving. It’s as simple as that.”
The Democrats will NOT be forging with the former California Controller Steve Westly, Attorney General and Former Governor Jerry Brown, Lt. Governor John Garamendi and former State Senator Jackie Speier in the field. There is even talk that former California Treasurer Phil Angelides, defeated by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006 may run.
The Democrats will need a strong candidate to beat either California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner or Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in 2010. Mayor Villaraigosa with these revelations will not be THAT candidate.
Garry South, who ran Democratic gubernatorial campaigns for Davis and former state Controller Steve Westly:
“I don’t think the revelations are helpful, and I think anyone would be a fool to think they would not have an impact when you have to run a high-visibility, high-scrutiny race for governor,” South said. “What kind of person you’ve been will play a factor.”
Agreed. Flap continues to maintain that politically Mayor Villar is DONE – Put a Fork in him.
If the Democrats do not have him for lunch, certainly the GOP will have him for dinner.
Update:
But, although Rudy leads in the polls has he been elected yet? And Antonio is NO Rudy or Reagan!
He is more like Henry Cisneros.
Mirthala Salinas, a Telemundo newswoman, interviews L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at the state Capitol on June 21, 2006. Villaraigosa has now acknowledged that he has “a relationship†with Salinas.
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Technorati Tags: Antonio Villaraigosa, Mirthala Salinas, Telemundo, Steve Westly, Phil Angelides, Jackie Speier, John Garamendi, Steve Poizner, Condoleezza RiceJerry Brown
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Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: The End of a Political Career
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s admission that he has a relationship with TV anchor Mirthala Salinas comes less than a month after he announced his separation from his wife of two decades, Corina Villaraigosa. She filed for divorce the next day.
The Los Angeles Daily News had the scoop: Revealed: The other woman in Antonio Villaraigosa’s lifeCity Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa is interviewed by reporter Mirthala Salinas of Telemundo at Factor’s Famous Deli on May 19, 2005 in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Times finally followed up: Mayor reveals romantic link with TV newscaster
At 4 p.m. on June 8, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa issued a terse statement announcing that he and his wife, Corina, were separating after 20 years of marriage.
Two hours later, Telemundo television anchor Mirthala Salinas delivered the story to her Spanish-language viewers on the Friday evening news.
During the course of a television interview on June 19, 2006, Villaraigosa walks with Salinas outside the state Capitol.
“The rumors were true,” she declared of the split after an introduction that described the story as a “political scandal” that had left “many people with their mouth open.”
What Salinas, 35, did not say in the newscast was that she was the other woman. She and Villaraigosa, 54, had been in a relationship even though she had previously been the political reporter assigned to cover local politics and the mayor.
On Tuesday, prompted by a report in the Daily News of Los Angeles, Villaraigosa officially confirmed what had long been whispered around City Hall.
“I have a relationship with Ms. Salinas, and I take full responsibility for my actions,” he said at a news conference after a swearing-in ceremony for school board members at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion downtown.
By late afternoon, the Channel 52 anchor had issued her own confirmation.
Mirthala Salinas, a Telemundo newswoman, interviews L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at the state Capitol on June 21, 2006. Villaraigosa has now acknowledged that he has “a relationship” with Salinas.
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.
The Los Angeles Times readers are not too happy with the Mayor.
Flap says put a fork in Mayor Villar – He’s Done.
And as for Ms. Salinas, she will probably be fired ala Kyung Lah, but, hey she has Antonio, right?
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa tells reporters, “I have a relationship with Ms. (Mirthala) Salinas, and I take full responsibility for my actions.” Salinas is an evening anchor for Telemundo, Channel 52.
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