A laid-off TV newscaster admitted in court Friday that he illegally hacked into his co-anchor's email accounts and leaked private information around her to gossip columnists.
Larry Mendte admitted that he viewed hundreds of Alycia Lane's e-mails from March 2006 to May 2008, including ones from her agent, her then-husband and lawyers representing her after she was arrested in New York last year and fired from KYW-TV, Philadelphia's CBS affiliate.
"There is no question he wrecked her career," said attorney Paul Rosen, who represents Lane in her wrongful-termination suit against the station.
Mendte, 51, said at a news group discussion that his actions grew out of a feud with Lane, 36, that began after he complete what he said was a coquettish and unconventional relationship with her, including long dinners and late nights out together.
Rosen promptly disputed the account. He called Mendte "sick and narcissistic" and said there was never an inappropriate relationship.
Mendte, world Health Organization is married to local Fox news anchor Dawn Stensland, accused Lane of undermining his standing at the station after the relationship
