Television Anchor Charged with Federal Crime

In Philadelphia, former KYW-TV anchor and former “Access Hollywood” anchor Larry Mendte has been charged with federal crimes over his unlawful snooping into the e-mail of his former co-anchor, Alycia Lane. Mendte reportedly gained access into her e-mails hundreds of times and leaked personal information on her social life a Philadelphia Daily News reporter. Lane was eventually dismissed from the station.

Mendte is accused of gaining access to Lane’s e-mails on at least 537 occasions between January and May.

Both anchors were dumped by the station. Lane was fired over a series of embarrassing incidents, including a scuffle with a New York City police officer.

For Mendte, 51, the government charged him with a single felony count of intentionally accessing a protected computer without authorization.

Mendte and Lane anchored the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. Mendte was taken off the air after his house was raided and Lane argued in a lawsuit that the station was guilty of sex discrimination by firing her and keeping Mendte on the air.

Mendte, who is married to another local anchor — Fox news anchor Dawn Stensland. He previously co-hosted “Access Hollywood” and worked at stations in Chicago, San Diego and New York.

He could face up to six months in prison if guilty.

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