FeedLoathsome comments
May 2, 2003 in Overset Tags: Jay Shelledy, jessica smart, Michael Vigh, salt lake tribune
The Deseret News writes about the resignation of Jay Shelledy, the editor who mishandled the National Enquirer scandal.
[Michael] Vigh — one of the fired reporters [the other is Kevin Cantera] — said he had mixed feelings about the editor’s resignation. Vigh said he had worked for Shelledy for five years, having been hired in as a police reporter from the Tooele Transcript Bulletin.
“I love the guy,” he said. “He’s always been good to me, and he’s been fair with with me. He’s always been a person that I could go to and talk to about different things in my life,” said Vigh. “I called him ‘Uncle Jay.’ So from that perspective, I don’t want him to go through this, but I feel like he did the wrong thing when, two weeks ago, I went to him and said, ‘I’ve done something wrong, let me resign.’ “
Vigh said he and Cantera “literally begged” Shelledy and other editors to assign a Tribune reporter to the story. Vigh said he and Cantera felt that through a story they could express their regret for having dealt with the Enquirer and that it might have have “stopped some of the embarrassment.”
“(Shelledy) said we weren’t as big as we thought, and it wasn’t going to be that big of a story,” said Vigh.
Vigh said he didn’t necessarily agree that the paper needs new leadership in order to recover.
“If that’s (Shelledy’s) opinion, that’s fine, but there are a lot of people who wanted (Shelledy) gone, and they are using this as the opportunity to push him out the door,” Vigh said.
He wouldn’t let you resign? Crap. Vigh, you are an honorless piece of scum. Had you really felt shame at your shameful behavior, you would have handed in your letter of resignation and walked out. Period. There is no doubt in my mind that Shelledy’s refusal to accept your resignation made you feel relieved that you had gotten away with it. Had you had any sense of shame to begin with, you would never have taken $10,000 to confirm a lurid story that a decent newspaper like the Salt Lake Tribune would not print.
Good luck finding another job in journalism, you asshat, because your reputation is so trashed no one will hire you. Hold on to that $10,000. I have a feeling the Smart family is going to want to take it away from you. You did, after all, libel them for money.
Don’t bother trying to get a job with your friends at the Enquirer. You don’t pass their credibility standards, either. I cannot imagine a sadder condition for a newsman.
Tell you what, next time I’m in Utah, maybe you’ll be taking my order at the drive-thru while your buddy Cantera is picking up trash in the parking lot.
