Jul 3, 2007 10:15 am US/Pacific
L.A. Mayor Admits Relationship With TV Newswoman
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he is involved in a romantic relationship with a local television newswoman.
AP
Weeks after announcing the separation from his wife of nearly 20 years, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he is involved in a romantic relationship with a local television newswoman.
The mayor dodged questions for months that began after reporters noticed he and Corina Villaraigosa stopped making public appearances together and his gold wedding band was missing from his ring finger, something aides blamed on weight loss.
He announced June 8 that the two were separating and on June 11 admitted responsibility for the breakup, which he said gave him "a personal sense of failure." Corina Villaraigosa filed for divorce a day later.
The mayor acknowledged in a statement July 2 to the Daily News that he has a relationship with NBC-Telemundo Channel 52 anchorwoman and reporter Mirthala Salinas.
"It is true that I have a relationship with Ms. Mirthala Salinas. As I've said I take full responsibility for my actions, and I once again ask that people respect my family's privacy. For my part, I intend to stay focused on my job, and to work as hard as I can every day to be the best mayor I can be," the statement said.
The newspaper reported the mayor's acknowledgment came as it prepared to publish a story about the relationship.
Villaraigosa and Salinas have appeared together at several events, but neither friends nor enemies report seeing public displays of affection between them, it was reported.
Still, there was evidence of a close relationship. The mayor has been sighted at Salinas' Studio City townhouse in recent months, a neighbor said.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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