August 22, 2008

Larry Mendte Didn't Need To Get Alycia Lane's Bikini Photos, Apparently

Holy shit. Larry Mendte's statement. This story finally got interesting again.

Let me explain. This whole episode started five years ago when Alycia Lane came to Philadelphia. Almost immediately, Dawn heard rumors that Alycia and I were a little too close and she should watch out.

The rumors were true. Alycia and I had a flirtatious, unprofessional, and improper relationship.

Dawn found proof of that relationship when she waited in my office on New Years Day 2005 and read emails that I had left out on my desk, emails between Alycia and me that confirmed her suspicions.

Dawn confronted me with the emails. I told her the truth. I told her I loved her, and I apologized. I then immediately stopped having long dinners with Alycia, staying out late with Alycia, and I stopped allowing her to come into my office to do her makeup everyday.

The relationship that was once close quickly turned into a personal feud.

Alycia Lane then became friends with others in the building, including the new General Manager. Suddenly, I had shows and responsibilities pulled away from me without explanation. The GM angrily confronted me one day and said that I was bad mouthing him. I was not. But, clearly, I was not on the list you want to be on with the new GM.

I found proof that it was Alycia who was undermining me when I saw an email she sent to management that she left up on the computer she uses on the set.

Then he goes on and on about how keylogger programs are available "too easily" on the Internet (sigh) and how he's going to become a lecturer on how scary the Internet is. But, really, whatever, this first part is the best.

John comments: "I think the new Philly pickup line should be 'Do you want to come to my office and do your makeup?'" I agree.

Statement of Larry Mendte [Philly.com]

Posted by D-Mac at 05:36 PM | Comments (4)

July 21, 2008

Larry Mendte Charged By Feds

The government made it official today and charged Larry Mendte with reading Alycia Lane's email; apparently, doing so is a felony.

Mendte was charged with one count of intentionally accessing a protected computer without authorization. Authorities allege he checked Lane's email 537 times (in a row?!) after getting her password.

"As we continually have said from day one, Larry has been cooperating fully with the investigators. He continues to cooperate and will accept full responsibility for his actions," Mendte's lawyer said. Blah, blah, blah, jailtime is probably unlikely.

Larry Mendte to be charged today [AP/6 ABC]

Posted by D-Mac at 01:47 PM | Comments (3)

June 24, 2008

Philly.com's Quest For A Traffic Spike

Ah, yeah, the current Philly.com front is the kind of thing that gets put into museums of pure awesomeness. It was great when I woke up this morning, but since then it's only gotten about 100 times better. My personal favorite part came when I realized that none of these people pictured are even all that remotely famous, but the new photo arrangement is completely amazing, too.

A friend and reader chimes in: "I think getting Kidd Chris' thoughts on the whole ordeal puts it over the top. There are just so many layers. It's getting to the point where I no longer think, 'Oh, the paper i once loved,' and instead think 'Well, this is pretty hilarious.'"

Bravo, Philly.com.

Posted by D-Mac at 11:16 AM | Comments (9)

CBS 3 Fires Larry Mendte

Well, we all saw this coming: CBS 3 has released Larry Mendte from his contract. When Alycia Lane filed her lawsuit alleging sexism (and other -isms) at the station, it pretty much sealed Mendte's fate.

(Lane's lawyer says CBS 3 wouldn't agree to change a court deadline, so the suit had to be filed last week. Convenient for the station!)

But that's not all! According to the Inquirer, CBS 3's internal investigation discovered a Keystroke logging program on one of the station's computers. (Shouldn't IT be looking for that kind of traffic going out over the network anyway?) Mendte's lawyer didn't say much of note, but did say, "I fully expect that Larry will resume his broadcasting career."

And so, in just about six months, CBS 3 has gone from lead anchors of Alycia Lane and Larry Mendte to Susan Barnett and Chris May. Sounds about right to me.

CBS 3 fires Mendte [Inquirer]

Posted by D-Mac at 08:31 AM | Comments (3)

June 20, 2008

CBS 3 Responds To Lane's Lawsuit

And what a salacious response!

"We have received a copy of Alycia Lane's complaint against KYW-TV. The station believes the claims are without merit and will defend the case vigorously in court."

Oh. I guess it wasn't quite so salacious.

Lane Files Law Suit; CBS 3 Responds [CBS 3]

Posted by D-Mac at 12:47 PM | Comments (0)

Alycia Lane Finally Sues CBS 3

Hey, what do you know? Alycia Lane finally went and sued CBS 3, and it actually contains the phrase "the Prince Albert of Monaco Exploitation." Oh, this is excellent.

Lane's lawsuit against her employer alleges the station didn't respond to complaints her private email had been viewed and also said the station treated female employees worse than its male ones. The suit also says co-anchor/alleged email snooper Larry Mendte was jealous of Lane's higher salary (reportedly $800k vs. $700k) and her popularity.

Michael Klein writes:

Lane's suit claims that a statement from Colleran that Mendte read on-air on Jan. 7 killed her career. It read in part: "After assessing the overall impact of a series of incidents resulting from judgments she has made, we have concluded that it would be impossible for Alycia to continue to report the news as she, herself, has become the focus of so many news stories." It added, "We understand that Alycia expects to be fully vindicated in that proceeding" in New York.

The suit says the "clear meaning" was that Lane was "now unable to report the news for any news station anywhere in the world."

Well, besides on UHF.

Alycia Lane sues CBS 3 [Inquirer]

Posted by D-Mac at 09:40 AM | Comments (1)

June 16, 2008

Alycia Lane, Future UHF Superstar?

You kids remember Alycia Lane, right? Yes, of course you do, and you are sick of her even though it's been about six months since she's last been on television.

Well, time to keep writing about her, anyway: Dan Gross reports some website reported Lane has been offered a main-anchor slot at San Diego's KUSI-TV. KUSI-TV is, of course, an independent station not affiliated with any network. Also, it's on Channel 51. Lane is said to be considering the offer.

On the plus side for Lane, KUSI-51 does show seven and a half hours of news every day, so she'll be on air non-stop! And since San Diego isn't known for its fantastic beaches and ridiculously nice weather, I have to assume everyone stays inside and watches TV all day.

Addendum: This News Blues website that Gross cites has a story today titled, "Philly newspapers continue Mendte drumbeat." Awesomeness. Unfortunately, the site is subscription-only.

Alycia to anchor in San Diego? [Phillygossip]

Posted by D-Mac at 10:59 AM | Comments (3)

June 10, 2008

Giving The People What They Want

A bikini photo (above) is on the cover of Metro today. Well played, gentlemen.

Metro [Thanks RJ]

Posted by D-Mac at 09:08 AM | Comments (5)

June 03, 2008

Source: Mendte Read Lane's Email

Everybody breathe, we're going to be okay. Yes, sources tell the Inquirer federal authorities have concluded Larry Mendte accessed Alycia Lane's email hundreds of times. Hundreds of times!

Michael Klein and John Shiffman also tell the story of how the FBI got involved: Somebody looked at Lane's email at the CBS offices, and forgot to log out of alycia_baby@yahoo.com or whatever. The person who found the open account told Lane, and later somebody told the FBI -- probably after realizing snooping in somebody else's email is a crime! The Internet is serious business.

As you all know now, hilarity ensued.

The Associated Press talked with Lane's lawyer who said whoever did this was probably just jealous of Alycia Lane: "There had been some jealousy by him over her popularity and ratings," Paul Rosen said. "There was no question that she was rising faster than he was." Alycia Lane, quickly eroding the public's sympathy; she truly is the Terrell Owens of the local media. Paul Rosen would be Drew Rosenhaus, I suppose."

The feds are still looking into the possibility Mendte shared information about Lane with the press. This story can only lead to one logical conclusion: Dan Gross being interviewed in a room with a single lightbulb overhead, refusing to divulge his sources for a story. It's our own little Valerie Plame scandal! Only more important.

Posted by D-Mac at 11:24 AM | Comments (9)

June 02, 2008

Did Mendte Snoop On Alycia For Media?

We were joking last night that it would be hilarious if Larry Mendte were the one who originally sent the Alycia Lane bikini emails from Suzy Shuster to Page Six. And now, this morning the Inquirer thoughtfully at least raises the possibility!

CBS3 anchor Larry Mendte opened former colleague Alycia Lane's private e-mail account hundreds of times over many months, sources told The Inquirer yesterday, and the FBI is investigating whether he passed on gossip about Lane to the media.

Simply too awesome. "Even in a worse-case scenario," the paper writes, Mendte is unlikely to face jail time. We've also learned that Alycia Lane uses a Yahoo! email account, apparently not swayed by the wonders of Gmail.

Mendte is apparently off-air indefinitely, too. Susan Barnett, now's your chance to shine!

FBI focus: Did Mendte blab about Lane e-mail? [Inquirer]
Dan Gross: Dead air for Larry Mendte in fed probe [Daily News]

Posted by D-Mac at 09:32 AM | Comments (11)

May 31, 2008

Inquirer: Feds Investigate CBS 3's Mendte

My gawd, Larry! I know we all wanted those bikini photos but you didn't have you didn't have to do this!

Federal authorities have launched a criminal investigation of CBS3 anchor Larry Mendte and searched his home to determine whether he illegally accessed the private e-mail of onetime colleague Alycia Lane, numerous sources told The Inquirer today.

Mendte's lawyer, Michael A. Schwartz, confirmed tonight that FBI agents approached his client Thursday and searched his home. Schwartz said it was related to "claims made by Alycia Lane." He added that "Larry is cooperating fully with the investigators and hopes to promptly reach a resolution of this matter." [...]

FBI agents from the Computer-Crimes Squad executed a search warrant on Mendte's Chestnut Hill home on Thursday and seized his personal computer - a rarity given his status as a journalist

Wow. And, once again, the whole Alycia Lane saga continues to not only (a) drag on, but (b) get even stranger. Who knows. But now that the feds are involved, will they release the bikini photos?

Larry Mendte probed for snooping on Alycia Lane, sources say [Inquirer]

Posted by D-Mac at 08:33 PM | Comments (11)

May 23, 2008

Radio Host Fired For First Time Ever

Chris Booker has been fired from his morning show drive-time job at Q102, the Inquirer reports in a rather huge headline on the front page of Philly.com currently. (The website also switched from a photo of Booker himself to one of him and girlfriend Alycia Lane. Good move!)

Q102 is apparently moving "to a show that's more music-intensive." Oh, and Diego Ramos will not be fired, though a bunch of other people have been axed as well. I can only imagine that Barsky will soon be the host of a new morning show somewhere.

Booker told Mike Klein he was surprised: "I've been fired before for low ratings, but never for being No. 1." On a side note, I enjoy tremendously the poll question on the front page of Philly.com: "Speak out: Did the station act hastily?" Ooh, yes, they should have waited until a full investigation was done of his show. Due process!

Booker is fired from Q102 [Inquirer]

Posted by D-Mac at 11:21 AM | Comments (18)

May 08, 2008

CBS 3 Miffed Its Employees Still Remember Who Alycia Lane Is

Ha ha, apparently if your work fires your coworker you're never allowed to see that person again. Or hang out with her boyfriend, at least. Yes, CBS 3 is upset some of its on-air talent went to Chris Booker's birthday party.

Booker is, of course, the boyfriend of one Alycia Lane, who you can't possibly have forgotten by now, but, hey, who knows?

Among staffers at the party were traffic anchor Bob Kelly, reporter Todd Quinones and meteorologist Doug Kammerer. We're told that station management talked only with Kammerer, mostly for appearing in pictures on Q102's website in which he was holding drinks. While several pictures of Kammerer remain on the site, at least one was removed this morning.

Gawd. How dare we live in a world where the public is allowed to know that Doug Kammerer drinks at an Atlantic City birthday party.

Oh, yeah, Lane is still suing the station, so that could have something to do with it.

CBS 3 upset over talent attending Alycia's A.C. bash for Booker [Phillygossip]

Posted by D-Mac at 11:59 AM | Comments (3)

April 09, 2008

Vince Fumo Uses Emoticons From '96 :-(

Earlier this week, the feds released a list of over 2,000 pieces of evidence for the upcoming trial of Vince Fumo. (Remember him?)

And, naturally, one of the pieces of evidence is an email Fumo allegedly sent to Alycia Lane. (Remember her?)

An Oct. 31, 2004, e-mail from Fumo to then-CBS 3 anchor Alycia Lane titled "We ARE Going to Win :-)"

Using an emoticon in a subject line? That's a bigger crime than buying a bunch of Oreck vacuum cleaners.

Feds list evidence they'll use on Fumo [Daily News]

Posted by D-Mac at 02:50 PM | Comments (2)

March 07, 2008

Alycia Lane Still In News, Somehow

While it seems the Ongoing Saga of Alycia Lane has wrapped up, the New York tabloids are still writing about her. As such I've decided to write about her as well!

Lane (at right -- not her wax figure in Madame Tussauds) was recently suggested by New York Daily News TV editor Richard Huff as a replacement for some dude who left up in NYC. As such, he got a lot of hate mail for some reason:

"What was your [TV Editor] Richard Huff thinking when he recommended Alycia Lane, the disgraced former Philadelphia reporter, for Chuck Scarborough's position on Ch. 4 news?," wrote Tom Mullen, a retired member of the NYPD.

"If this is the best candidate he could come up with, maybe the N.Y. Daily News might rethink Mr. Huff's position," Mullen wrote.

Whoo! Oh man, this is the biggest Alycia Lane story since... well, okay, I basically just wanted to post that wax-like Lane photo. Also, there's no way she doesn't end up on a new TV show after her six-month penance is over.

Readers chilly to hiring Alycia Lane from Philadelphia [NY Daily News]

Posted by D-Mac at 01:24 PM | Comments (6)

February 26, 2008

Stern Gives Lane His Seal Of Approval

Alycia Lane is now a free woman, and she looks better on her left side than she does straight on. But still, she's a free woman, as Dan Gross and Michael Klein report in articles full of juicy backstory and descriptions like "demure in a black Moschino suit and matching Louboutin stilettos" (that's Klein, on Lane).

But by far the best report comes from Mighty Dan Gross, who chats it up with Howard Stern to get the King of All Media's report on Alycia Lane.

"She's hot...she has nice big titties... and is the best piece of ass Booker's ever had," Stern said of the former CBS3 anchor.. Lange chimed in that he had only met Lane for 10 seconds, but he had enough of a lasting impression that he was able to, we're paraphrasing here, fantasize about her while masturbating.

Thanks, Dan! I was wondering if Howard Stern thought Alycia Lane had big tits and if Artie Lange jerked off while thinking about her!

Oh, and Alycia Lane wants to go work for another station in Philly. Sounds good to me!

A liberated Lane aiming at CBS3 [Inquirer]
Booker's friend Howard Stern approves of Alycia [Phillygossip]
Alycia Lane: 'I'm so glad this is over' [Daily News]

Posted by D-Mac at 10:33 AM | Comments (0)

February 25, 2008

Alycia Lane On Path To Sainthood

Oh, yea, so Alycia Lane? Remember her? No? Well, she was the center of attention on this website back just two months ago. But since I've now moved on to more interesting stories involving demons, I don't really even remember what she did anymore.

Oh, yeah, the former CBS 3 anchor allegedly punched a cop while sending bikini photos to a married man while calling somebody a "fucking dyke" on Dr. Phil. Anyway, she has a court date today in New York, and Dan Gross is up in New York covering it.

And, ta da, he reports Lane served her one day of community service already and is free to go. She just has to stay clean for six months or whatever.

The final chapter closes on Alycia Lane, and now we can just only hope Jennaphr Frederick punches a fireman or something so we have another local anchor to talk about.

Alycia gets her day in court [Philly Gossip]

Posted by D-Mac at 10:49 AM | Comments (4)

February 11, 2008

Alycia Lane To Stay Out Of News?

It appears the long, drawn-out saga of the pretty news anchor who allegedly punched a cop may be coming to an end.

Dan Gross reported Friday Lane's case appears headed toward a dismissal. Seems Lane's counsel has worked out a deal that if she stays out of trouble for six months, the charges will be dropped.

Lane's lawyers have agreed to an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal; you would think a millionaire wouldn't have much trouble not breaking the law for 180 days or so, but who knows. Lane's hearing is Feb. 25, which means there could be an actual chance that we won't have to hear about her for six months. (I won't count on it.)

On a side note, here's a factoid you might not know: Dan Gross and Regina Medina were the first ones to report on the arrest of Alycia Lane. The Daily News has yet to note this.

In other news, Alycia Lane somehow made Rich Eisen hire the publicity firm that works for Page Six, somehow.

Posted by D-Mac at 04:08 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

January 30, 2008

Alycia's Backers Take Page From Ron Paul's

Alycia Lane's defenders have hit the Internet, and you'd think she's like Ron Paulbaro or something:

JC said:

I think that everyone needs to mind their own business and stop riding this lady. Probably most people reading this have much more to hide than her, except for the fact that no one cares about what's going on with you like they do with Miss. Lane.

InternationalGiant said:
Calling this well-educated, attractive, news person names is typical "Philly-ignorant". You probably have much more to hide than Miss. Lane, except for the fact that no cares if YOU live or die.

I can't speak for Dan Gross, but I know plenty of people want me dead.

Posted by D-Mac at 04:45 PM | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)

Oppressed Minority To Sue CBS 3

Oh, you all knew this was coming. Dan Gross reports has filed court papers against CBS 3, almost certainly a prelude to a lawsuit (or settlement) with the company.

Lane and attorney Rosen have also asked for any documents or personnel files pertaining to the firing by CBS3 of "any other anchor or reporter of Latina descent, African-American descent or the descent of any other minority group." Could Lane, dubbed the "Latina Bombshell" by the People Paper's Stu Bykofsky in 2003, be playing the race card?

Any other minority group, eh? I knew the unfair termination of Chief Halftown would come back to bite CBS 3 in the ass one day.

Alycia Lane files court papers against CBS3 [Phillygossip]

Posted by D-Mac at 02:37 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

January 27, 2008

Lane, Booker Make Out On Dance Floor

BREAKING ALYCIA LANE NEWS MUST CREDIT PWD SIREN.GIF!!!

It appears noted Philadelphia power couple BookerLane are back in Philly and are... well, they are like 17 year sold, since they're hanging out in Manayunk. I'll let a Philadelphia Will Do I-Reporter explain via text message:

• I'm at Grape Street Pub, No Code a Pearl Jam cover band is playing, and I'm standing in front of Chris Booker and Alycia Lane, and she hasn't hit anyone, yet
• She drinks vodka cranberry or something equally girly
• O, they won't stop making out, fuckers

After the jump, a Philadelphia Will Do bounty.

Continue reading "Lane, Booker Make Out On Dance Floor"

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January 22, 2008

Alycia Lane: A Virgin At 23, Apparently

The best thing from the Phillymag's novel about the Alycia Lane saga is most certainly this factoid on the fourth page about Lane:

In fact, defending herself, she later told people that she hadn’t lost her virginity until she was 23.

Okay, so that should be what people will be talking about. There's also such a dramatic ending: "Except that person was long gone. In her place was Alycia, out with her celebrity DJ boyfriend and a powerful radio exec, wearing that expensive black designer jacket, her makeup as perfect as it always was on-air, pulling out her iPhone and snapping shots of what she must have thought was news. And then she said the words that both begin and end the story of Alycia Lane, the words that describe who she had been, and had lost, that might actually sound somewhat poetic, in the desperate way that famous last words always are." Stop! Enough, you had me until that last sentence.

Coincidentally, Andy Reid's lawyer was present for the creation of this story, too. No, really: Alycia Lane's lawyer is Andy Reid's lawyer. Nevermind then. (He's actually quoted.)

Posted by D-Mac at 11:45 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

January 08, 2008

The Fallout: Alycia Lane

Here's Dan Gross and Regina Medina from the Daily News. Here's Mike Klein from the Inquirer, who reports Alycia Lane is going to sue CBS 3. Above (give it a second the video is still processing long time since YouTube is being annoying), Larry Mendte manages to not burst into ridiculous laughter when talking about Lane's departure from the station.

Me, I think this is kind of a mistake by the station. In addition to being weird to fire her for being in the news when it encouraged her to go on Dr. Phil, think how many viewers CBS 3 would have gotten for February sweeps with Alycia Lane's triumphant return? Apparently, this move will increase CBS 3's journalistic credibility. Unfortunately, the only real way for a television station to have any journalistic credibility is mass hara-kari.

Posted by D-Mac at 08:30 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

January 07, 2008

Philly-Area Nerds Drop Ball

As of 5:17 p.m., Alycia Lane's Wikipedia page remains silent on her termination from CBS 3. Shocker!

Update: Ha ha, a Philadelphia Will Do reader edited the page! It now reads:

On January 7, 2008, Alycia Lane was fired from her job at CBS3. Lane responded by staging a hostage situation at the station, ultimately resulting in the shooting death of former co-anchor Larry Mendte. The situation is currently under investigation by area police.

Posted by D-Mac at 05:17 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Alycia Lane Takes A Fucking Hyke

Sob! Yes, as you've no doubt already heard -- sorry, I was in a meeting! -- Alycia Lane is gone from CBS 3. Here's the statement.

After assessing the overall impact of a series of incidents resulting from judgments she has made, we have concluded that it would be impossible for Alycia to continue to report the news as she, herself, has become the focus of so many news stories. We wish to make clear that we are not prejudging the outcome of the criminal case against Alycia that is pending in New York. We understand that Alycia expects to be fully vindicated in that proceeding. We hope that is the case and we wish her the best in all her future endeavors.

So, basically, she got her boobs into the news too much and so she got fired.

Continue reading "Alycia Lane Takes A Fucking Hyke"

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