Chicago Writer Quits For Sex Conduct

AP ^ | 9-15-02

[Cynderbean]

Today: September 15, 2002 at 8:30:11 PDT

Chicago Writer Quits for Sex Conduct

ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHICAGO- Chicago Tribune columnist Bob Greene resigned after acknowledging he engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a teenage girl, the newspaper said Sunday.

In a note on the paper's front page, editor Ann Marie Lipinski said Greene, 55, acknowledged the sexual conduct with a girl in her late teens whom he met in connection with his column.

"Greene's behavior was a serious violation of Tribune ethics and standards for its journalists," Lipinski said. "We deeply regret the conduct, its effect on the young woman and the impact the disclosure has on the trust our readers placed in Greene and this newspaper."

The Tribune first heard of the allegation after receiving an anonymous complaint last week, prompting an inquiry by editors and other Tribune officials, Lipinski said in the note. The conduct occurred "some years ago," she said.

Greene was suspended by the paper, which then sought his resignation. He submitted it Saturday night.

Gary Weitman, a spokesman for Tribune Co., said the newspaper and company would have no further comment. He said Greene did not leave a statement and he did have a phone number to reach him. Greene did not immediately respond to a email message Sunday from The Associated Press.

Greene's column on social issues and American life appeared in the Tribune four times a week and was syndicated, appearing in newspapers around the country. He also has written several books and provided commentary on Tribune-owned WGN TV.

[ChadGore]

inappropriate sexual conduct . . hmmm has comeone emailed this to bill clinton ?

[thucydides]

Didn't this newspaper defend Clinton's activities in the privacy of the Oval Boudoir at the White House? And wasn't he in his 50s, engaged in questionable activities with a female who in the beginning was also in her teen years?

[Fifth Business]

Ironically, one of his favorite topics to write about was child abuse. He was against it as I recall.

[billorites]

Boston columnist Mike Barnicle had inappropriate sexual contact with a fabricated teenage girl.

[fooman]

Is this the same guy that always comes on Kudlow and Cramer?

[Willie Green]

Boston columnist Mike Barnicle had inappropriate sexual contact with a fabricated teenage girl.

Must've been Inflatable Betty.
She has a reputation, you know.

[BigWaveBetty]

Oh God, say it ain't so! I've seen this guy on Oprah and thought he was one of the good guys. :-(

Is this the same Bob Greene?

[Fifth Business]

Yeah, that's him.

[dwilli]

I thought George Carlin had the contact and Barnicle
just took credit(blame) for it.

[sinclair]

NO. Monica Lewinsky was 22 years old at the time of their affair. Just to set the record strait. If that was what your post referred to.

[krb]

I hate to be one of the bad guys here, but I don't equate caving in to the seductions of a late teen with child abuse.

It certainly was a stupid career move, and something that real men figure out how to turn down (admit it, it takes mettle for a 50 year old guy to turn down a gimme with a cute 19 year old). Some guys have honor and can deal with that situation well, and others don't.

This guy obviously didn't have it, but that doesn't vitiate his message on child abuse, nor does this case make him a hypocrite.

[TN4Liberty]

Yes, the morality of a 55 year old hitting on a 22 year old rather than a 19 year old is substantial.

[Northpaw]

I know that this will be unpopular, but a 'late teen' is probably a 19 year old 'woman', not a child. I do not condone a 55 year old male having a relationship with a 'late' teen, but I can understand how it can happen. A homosexual relationship is far more 'inappropriate'. How many homosexuals have been asked to resign from the Tribune?

[Northpaw]

Was writing my post while you posted. You and I are on the same page.

[Tom Pain]

The key phrase here is: "Greene, 55, acknowledged the sexual conduct with a girl in her late teens whom he met in connection with his column. "

[varon]

Chicago Tribune columnist Bob Greene resigned after acknowledging he engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a teenage girl......

........as opposed to appropriate sexual conduct with a teenage girl?

[Glenn]

This is a disappointment. I've been a Bob Greene fan forever -- to the extent that I purchased his books and donated them to the local lending library. I wish they'd give the whole story. I'd like to know the circumstances.

[strela]

Glad to hear it. Maybe now he can get a wider audience for his anti-smoker diatribes from the friendly confines of the Graybar Arms.

A kiddie diddler gets what was coming to him. Nothing to see here.

[Dante3]

At least he resigned unlike Bill Clinton (who even pardoned a pedophile pal of Rev. Jesse J. The pervert Marv Alpert keeps on being hired. He actually announced a little league game on TV where he made an inappropirate comment about some boy being so cute he just wanted to hug him.