abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=local&id=5448589
com Go Go Go Salinas Anchored Report on Mayor's Split from Wife Mayor: 'I Have a Relationship with Ms Salinas' KABC By Leslie Miller July 3, 2007 (KABC-TV) - LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's private life has been an open book the last couple of months. First, his announcement that he was separated from his wife, and then rumors that the mayor was having an affair.
MORE: LA Mayor Admits to Affair with TV Anchor (7/3/07) On Tuesday, the mayor confirmed that he has been having a relationship with a woman who is also in the public eye. "It's true, I have a relationship with Ms Salinas," Villaraigosa said. The mayor admitted to an affair with a local television news reporter, but took offense when asked about rumors that she is pregnant. "I can tell you emphatically that that question is outrageous, and the answer is no, she is not pregnant," Villaraigosa said. She is Telemundo reporter Mirthala Salinas, who just last month opened the station's newscast with the story of Villaraigosa's split with his wife. In Spanish Salinas said: "The rumors were true, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa confirmed today that he is separating from his wife Corina after more than 20 years of marriage." What Salinas didn't report was that she has been romantically involved with Villaraigosa for the last year and has covered him for many years. Telemundo's General Manager refused to comment on his employee's controversial relationship. "There's only one thing that matters to us and that's our credibility, our connection with our audience. Our credibility is our most important asset," Manuel Abud, KVEA's General Manager, said. The latest scandal in the city is all over the talk radio waves. "But today, we now have no doubt whatsoever that this mayor is an out and out liar and a cad. We learn that this Mirthala Salinas is a non-journalist and a (expletive)," John Ziegler, a KFI Radio talk show host, said. Villaraigosa, the most visible Latino politician in the country, has been mentioned as a candidate for higher office. The question now is will his private affairs impact his political future? "I believe that the vast majority of people base their sense of trust on what you do in your public life. Whether or not you keep your promises," Villaraigosa said. Salinas confirmed that she and the mayor are having a relationship and released this statement. "I first got to know the mayor at a professional level where we went on to become friends. The current relationship grew out of our existing friendship. While we are both public figures, I hope that everyone can understand and respect my desire to maintain my privacy when it comes to personal relationships." Villaraigosa is not the first politician to be linked to Salinas. On Tuesday, California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez confirmed that he had a relationship with Salinas back in 2003 when he was divorced from his wife. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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