Web Search powered by YAHOO! SEARCH
share
email
font size
options
 
Friday, August 22, 2008
Larry Mendte admits to an "improper" relationship with Alycia Lane
April Saul/Inquirer
Larry Mendte moments ago said he and Alycia Lane had a "flirtatious, unprofessional and improper relationship," which his wife Fox 29's Dawn Stensland discovered when he had left personal e-mails between the pair up on his computer screen at his work when she came to visit him at the office. Once that relationship ended is when Mendte and Lane began feuding, he said. Mendte went on to explain in great detail about how he accessed Lane's emails and admitted sharing information obtained in her e-mails to reporters. He apologized to Lane and asked that the "long mutually destructive feud come to an end. "  Earlier today Mendte plead guilty in U.S. District Court to one felony count of hacking into Lane's personal e-mail account. He'll be sentenced November 24 by U.S. District Judge Mary McLaughlin. Mendte faces up to five years in prison, but sources close to the case suggest it is unlikely he will go to jail. Here's a link to the full transcript of Mendte's statement this evening, but below is the new shocking admission of an inappropriate relationship between the former co-anchors.

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.

Lane's attorney Paul Rosen held his own press conference tonight in which he tore Mendte a new one, calling his behavior "sick and sadistic." Rosen said he refused to discuss any flirtation only Mendte accepting criminal reponsibility. Rosen described Mendte's statement as "an attempt to get good press once more by trying to hurt Alycia Lane." " He has not learned his lesson," Rosen told reporters tonight. Rosen took exception to reports that Mendte will likely not receive jail time and reminded the media that he faces up to five years in prison. Rosen said Mendte must be punished for his actions. When the People Paper's Stu Bykofsky questioned Rosen about Mendte's perceived admission of "adultery", Rosen grew angry, shouting "I didn't hear him say adultery, or sexual affair...He never said one word about an affair" Rosen threatened reporters that anyone who publishes allegations of an affair between Mendte and Lane would be exposed to a lawsuit. Rosen went on to say there were no words Mendte could offer that would possibly undo the harm that he and CBS 3 have caused Lane.

"Larry Mendte, like all CBS 3 employees, was treated professionally and fairly during his tenure here. His allegations are totally without merit," said CBS 3 spokeswoman Joanne Calabria tonight in reaction to Mendte's remarks about station management, which included an assertion that the station sided with Lane in the Mendte/Lane feud and also a claim that CBS 3 general manager Michael Colleran once told Mendte he wished he could have fired him.
This item has been updated.
Posted by Dan Gross @ 5:46 PM  Permalink | File Under: Alycia Lane | | Breaking News | 13 comments
Comments   
Posted 05:59 PM, 08/22/2008
Toots McGee
This shouldn't be a surprise, at least to anybody who has ever worked in the KYW building for any amount of time back then.
Comment removed.
Posted 06:58 PM, 08/22/2008
Michael S.
I guess it really is true that no matter how beautiful a woman is, somewhere there's a guy who's tired of her. Larry was going home to Dawn Stensland every night and still had a wandering eye (if not other parts)? Wow. And as for Alycia, well, I guess hell really hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Comment removed.
Posted 07:30 PM, 08/22/2008
glensider54
Is anyone selling those "Free Larry Mendte!" t-shirts? Hopefully Bonner cuts all ties w/ that sicko. Maybe Sean Knapp will give him a knuckle sandwich.
Posted 08:34 PM, 08/22/2008
Russ_36
You still should not judge other people. Many other people may have terrible mistakes just like him. But he still has the support of his family and friends.
Comment removed.
Posted 05:39 AM, 08/23/2008
mick314
Beautiful woman vs skinny (rhymes with itch). Some of Mendte's makeup must have clouded his vision.
Posted 05:42 AM, 08/23/2008
STEVE5444
Hey Dan.. You printed the stuff that Mendte told you without checking with anyone... Good Journalism...BRUTAL
Posted 07:52 AM, 08/23/2008
robjan
larry makes it sound like she started flirting with him from the moment she came to town. Is it true? Did anyone see her doing make up in his office? If it is true, that says a lot about her. Both of them are so flawed...
Posted 10:28 PM, 08/23/2008
paris4053
How can you not love this story? Just when we thought the fire was starting to dwindle, Larry shows up and pours a little gasoline on the ambers to start it up. I tell you, Alicia and Dawn in some nude mud wrestling is all we need!
Posted 11:46 AM, 08/25/2008
MadPrrr
He should have worked for a Dawn, Alycia and Larry sandwich
Comment removed.
13 comments
About Dan Gross
Covering the behavior and misbehavior of celebrities Mondays through Thursdays in the Daily News and online 24/7.
Philly Gossip Tipline
Share your Tips and Photos with Dan Gross!
215 854 5963
email grossd@phillynews.com

About your tips: We will happily credit you for photos, but we guarantee anonymity on any confidential tips. Please include your name and phone number so that we may contact you for more information if necessary. Your personal information will not be shared publicly unless you have given express permission for us to do so.
Advertise Here
Latest from PhillyGossip