Monday, July 21, 2008

Director's Alert: Husband of former WKYC anchor officially charged in e-mail scandal

PHILADELPHIA -- A longtime Philadelphia newscaster has been charged with illegally accessing the e-mail of his former co-anchor.

Federal prosecutors have charged Larry Mendte with a felony count of intentionally accessing a protected computer without authorization. Authorities say he hacked into the account of Alycia Lane hundreds of times over more than two years. A prosecutor says he went "well beyond just reading someone's e-mail."

Mendte was fired from the Philadelphia CBS affiliate last month after FBI agents seized his computer. His attorney says Mendte is cooperating "and will accept full responsibility for his actions." He faces a six-month prison term if convicted.

Lane was fired from the station in January after a series of off-camera incidents, including an arrest after a late-night scuffle with police in New York City.

Larry is the husband of former WKYC news anchor Dawn Stensland who works for the crosstown FOX affiliate in Philly.

Courtesy: The Associated Press