You are the editor of a daily newspaper in Maine, or the news director of a television or radio station, sitting at your desk and chomping on a cigar just like in the movies. A reporter bursts through the door with a big scoop. Just weeks after his re-election, Gov. Paul LePage has left his wife, Ann, and taken up with his campaign manager in a pricy hotel in downtown Augusta.
The campaign manager is also president of a lobbying and P. This is not a rumor: the reporter has LePage on record acknowledging his separation from Ann and the identity of his mistress, who is also still legally married. You do one of the following: a.
Run the story as soon as possible, or b. Tell the reporter none of this is newsworthy and refuse to cover the story. If you chose a. If you chose b. I first got the tip in late January: Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling had left his wife of 14 years, Mary Beeaker, and taken up with his campaign manager, Stephanie Clifford, about a month after his inauguration. Clifford is a partner and president of Baldacci Communications, a lobbying and P.
Their client list includes numerous heavy-hitters in Maine political and business circles, some of which do business with the city. The next morning, at 7 a. Shortly before a.
I called Mayor Strimling later that morning and he put the following facts on the record: he and his wife are separated and he is now in a relationship with Clifford.
