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.

[Dark Knight]

"sexual conduct with a girl in her late teens whom he met in connection with his column"

This is such dodge of the conduct it left me wondering if they should have forwarded it to a prosecutor, or nominated him (by democrats) for president!

Late teens, 17 18 or 19?

Sexual conduct, words or deeds? How serious?

In connection with his column, reader or employee?

They also mentioned that it happened some years ago, more than ten? Twenty? I don't know how long he has been a writer there, so that's the limit.

ANONONYMOUS TIP=red flag for something weird.
Has he stepped on any toes lately?

I'm not being an apologist for him, one one end of the scale I say prosecute him and on the other end it may not even rise to a good sexual harassment suit. But the article leaves out so much it makes me wonder why they even wrote the article.

DK

[thucydides]

I believe when they first met, and the first thong was snapped, she was under 20. I remember reading something about how the White House was at pains to try to emphasize an older age for her. In any case, the conduct was reprehensible.

[sinclair]

Not condoning in any way. Just setting the record straight. Then we at FreeRepublic.com can say we have our facts straight. Glad to be of assistance.

[soozla]

This is SHOCKING..........Bob Greene has been an absolute CHAMPION of children's rights in abuse cases for a long time....remember the Little Richard case where a 4 year old was unceremoniously RIPPED from a loving, adoptive home in Chicago's suburbs because the sperm-donor "dad" never actually signed off when the boy was adopted....Greene was out there for the rights of the kid.......also the abused Brillion, Wisconsin girl kept in a dog cage in the basement of the family's home was another case he brought to the forefront of the news...and many other abused kids......if THIS situation is true, it is shocking...and sooo sad!

[Timesink]

Exactly when was Marv Albert ever accused of doing anything - ANYTHING - to a minor? Much less a minor of the same sex? You're edging very close to slander territory.

[SamAdams76]

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

So have we all. So have we all.

[thucydides]

Monica date of birth was July 23, 1973, so it does appear she was about 22 at time of her kneepad trip to Washington.

[Dark Knight]

I think the earlier stuff was when she was having an affair with her prof at a small college, and then took some stationary from the college to help him get unemployment or some such nonsense. She has a rich history, and an extremely true moral compass.

DK

[Trickyguy]

This isn't the first time Greene's one this. He did it--oops, I
better say allegedly--to a woman I know in the early '80s,
claiming he would get her a job. He didn't. And I know for
a fact he hit on a 17-year-old I know, also in the early
80s. She told me this. That's when I decided he was scum.

[Vince Ferrer]

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.

True, but there was that 14 year old penpal of his. Apparently no sex, but because of Clinton's known behavior, you just can't automatically rule it out, either.

Clinton pen pal with 14 year old girl

[virgil]

I don't think the article is very clear about the "inappropriate sexual conduct" that was committed. Maybe the Tribune just doesn't want to elaborate out of modesty.

[krb]

Good point. I am operating under the assumption that he "got it on" with her in a consentual way, losing his job because of the terrible judgement he showed. I'll keep checking the story to see if more facts emerge to paint it in a worse light.

[JCG]

This isn't the first time Greene's one this. He did it--oops, I
better say allegedly--to a woman I know in the early '80s,
claiming he would get her a job. He didn't. And I know for
a fact he hit on a 17-year-old I know, also in the early
80s. She told me this. That's when I decided he was scum.

Nothing like a little anonymous hearsay to flesh out a discussion. Now where did I put that Lysol spray?

America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
New Link: Download 8 Mb zip file here (60 minute video)

[AppyPappy]

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.

That's what separates the men from the boys. Men can resist temptation.

[Dante3]

I never said Marv did anything to a MINOR. However, everyone his trial is public knowledge and that he got off with just a slap on the wrist. There were also other scandals (e.g. him grabbing a woman while dressed in women's underwear, if I remember correctly). Not exactly the type of person I would let hug my kid.

As for Greene, it's not clear that he was involved with a MINOR. It might have been an 18 or 19 year old.

[vetvetdoug]

I am of the mind that was expressed by Cary Grant in a movie, "Under 18 protected by law, over 65 protected by nature, everything in between is fair game."

I believe, like you, that there is something more to this story. Nobody ever questions Hugh Hefner about his late teen women.

[Happygal]

How do you meet someone through a newspaper column?

I must be writing the wrong kind of colums *L*

[the bottle let me down]

In general, the Cary Grant quote is write.

She was probably under 18 at the time. (I don't know, I'm just guessing, but it seems likely.) Furthermore, if I'm the editor of the Tribune, I don't want my reporters and/or columnists getting involved with people they are writing about. It hurts the credibility of the entire paper, even if the writer discloses the relationship at the time. That alone would justify Greene's demise in my mind. Especially since Greene has a history of writing about and therefore dealing with troubled (and emotionally vulnerable) youth.

[victim soul]

Imagine the press sets higher standards for an employee than our Congress had with our President.

[NYCVirago]

She was probably under 18 at the time. (I don't know, I'm just guessing, but it seems likely.) Furthermore, if I'm the editor of the Tribune, I don't want my reporters and/or columnists getting involved with people they are writing about. It hurts the credibility of the entire paper, even if the writer discloses the relationship at the time. That alone would justify Greene's demise in my mind. Especially since Greene has a history of writing about and therefore dealing with troubled (and emotionally vulnerable) youth.

It doesn't say that Greene wrote about her; only that he met her through the column. That could mean any number of things. And we don't know her exact age -- she could be 18 or 19. Unless there are some more details forthcoming, it doesn't seem that Greene's sins deserved a forced resignation.