L.A. Mayor Admits to Affair with TV Anchor

DOWNTOWN L.A., July 3, 2007 (KABC-TV) (KABC) -- "It's true," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "I have a relationship with Ms. Salinas, and I take full responsibility for my actions."

Just weeks after separating from his wife, L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa broke his silence and admitted he's been having a secret affair with a local TV journalist.

Three weeks after separating from his wife of nearly 20 years, L.A.'s mayor revealed he's been having a romantic relationship with a local Spanish-language television reporter.

Villaraigosa admitted he has been in a romantic relationship with channel 52 newswoman Mirthala Salinas. He indicated the affair had been going on for about a year. He also emphatically denied rumors that Salinas is pregnant.

"I have had a relationship with Ms. Salinas over time. It has evolved, and today I have acknowledged that relationship," said the mayor. "I can tell you emphatically that the question is outrageous, and the answer is no, she is no pregnant.

Salinas issued a statement about the relationship.

"I first got to know the mayor at a professional level where we went on to become friends. The current relationship grew out of our existing friendship," she said in the statement. "While we are both public figures, I hope that everyone can understand and respect my desire to maintain my privacy when it comes to personal relationships."

Antonio and Corina Villaraigosa had been married some 20 years and have two children. Villaraigosa has had two other children out of wedlock. The Villaraigosa's separated, and she filed for divorce after another public affair in the early '90s, but later reconciled.

"Let's be clear. Many millions of people get divorced all the time," said Villaraigosa. "And when they do, it's a private matter. And it's a private matter here."

It's difficult to have such a public affair remain private when you're the most visible Latino politician in the country. Salinas covered the mayor for years, and went to her management a year ago to tell them of their relationship and stopped covering Villaraigosa.

KVEA General Manager Manuel Abud would not comment on his employee's relationship with the mayor.

"We always make sure that we never, ever compromise that credibility," said Abud. "As a matter of corporate policy, and philosophy in general, we never comment on personal matters of our employees."

The mayor has been mentioned as a candidate for higher office. He doesn't think this will affect his political future.

Neither do some of the people who talked with Eyewitness News.

"I guess he's just human," said voter Edna Flitcraft. "And he's man enough to admit it."

"I think it's a lapse in judgment," said voter Faisal Roble. "But I wouldn't hold [it against] him if he runs for any other office. As a married man, I wouldn't do it."

Corina Villaraigosa has been unavailable for comment. Last month she moved out of the mansion that is the mayor's official residence. A spokesman for the mayor's office says Mrs. Villaraigosa and their two children are now living in their Mount Washington home.

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