Former KYW Anchor Mendte Charged with Hacking
Former KYW Philadelphia anchor Larry Mendte allegedly hacked into former anchor colleague Alycia Lane’s e-mail account, leaked personal information to Philadelphia Daily News reporter.
By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/22/2008 6:44:00 AM
Former KYW Philadelphia anchor Larry Mendte was charged with intentionally accessing a protected computer without authorization after allegedly sneaking into former anchor colleague Alycia Lane’s e-mail account hundreds of times.
Mendte then allegedly leaked Lane’s ill-gotten personal information to a Philadelphia Daily News reporter.
It is a felony charge.
“As we continually have said from day one, Larry has been cooperating fully with the investigators," Mendte’s attorney, Michael Schwartz, told AP. "He continues to cooperate and will accept full responsibility for his actions."
Mendte was fired from KYW last month. Lane was dismissed in January following an incident with a New York Police Department officer, the latest in a string of headline-grabbing incidents involving Lane.
In June, Lane filed a lawsuit against KYW, which is owned by CBS, for gender discrimination.
Lane’s attorney, Paul Rosen, alleged that Mendte acted out of jealousy as Lane’s popularity -- and salary -- climbed.
According to AP, federal guidelines call for a sentence of up to six months in prison if Mendte is found guilty.
