NYT staffer unintentionally violated the ethics code

I always knew that these "make-over" shows were crap.. but this really makes me mad.. A "connected" person gets a $50K makeover, and Oprah shows these things like it's something that "anyone" could do..with a little imagination and elbow grease.. and FIFTY THOUSAND BUCKS...


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4460601/

Reporter to pay back Oprah for makeover
The New York Times staffer unintentionally violated the ethics code

NEW YORK - A New York Times reporter has been ordered by the newspaper to reimburse “The Oprah Winfrey Show” for renovations done on his apartment for a segment of the popular television talk show.


The Times said culture reporter Jesse McKinley “unintentionally” violated its code of ethics when he allowed celebrity designer Thom Filicia, known from the television show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” to fix up his New York apartment for the Winfrey show.A Times spokesman said the arrangement had been made by McKinley’s wife and that the reporter is arranging to pay for the goods received.

The newspaper bars staff members from accepting gifts or other inducements worth more than $25 from individuals or organizations covered by The Times, spokesman Toby Usnik said.The renovation was valued at up to $50,000, according to the New York Post, which reported the story Friday.The Times said the Winfrey program’s staff provided a much lower figure for the cost of the work.

“We have discussed with Jesse McKinley his appearance with his wife on the Oprah Winfrey program, and we are satisfied that any violation of our policy was unintentional,” Usnik said. “Mr. McKinley understands that he must reimburse the program for the fair market value of the goods received.”


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