Mayor’s Mistress Donated to Rival Campaign

Eric Spillman writes:

Telemundo newscaster Mirthala Salinas, the love interest of Mayor Villaraigosa, once made a campaign contribution to his political opponent.

Records confirm that in March of 2001 Salinas gave $250 to Xavier Becerra, who at that time was running against Antonio Villaraigosa for mayor.

Becerra spokesman Steve Haro says the newscaster attended a fundraiser at a Mexican restaurant, and then wrote a check to the candidate.

How’s that for checkbook journalism?

Haro says the two were "absolutely not" romantically involved. He says Becerra’s only contact with Salinas was "in an official and professional capacity."

Most news media outlets have policies forbidding reporters from donating to political campaigns, for obvious reasons.   And Salinas was KVEA’s political correspondent!