RCFL: Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory

Philadelphia News Anchor Sentenced

November 25, 2008 -- Former TV anchor Larry Mendte, 51, a well-known media personality in Philadelphia, completed his fall from grace after being sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mary A. McLaughlin to six months of house arrest. Mendte pleaded guilty in federal court on August 22, 2008 for illegally accessing a protected computer and reading over 500 personal and confidential messages sent to former co-anchor Alycia Lane. Members of the FBI and the Philadelphia RCFL executed a search warrant at Mendte’s home and seized a computer, amongst other items, which was later brought to the laboratory for a full examination. Shortly thereafter, Mendte was fired from his $700,000 a year job as anchor for the local CBS affiliate.

Mendte claimed he felt threatened by Ms. Lane’s rising popularity, and began hacking into her computer and spreading gossip about her, which contributed to her firing. In addition to Mendte’s snooping, Lane had other troubles, including an arrest following a scuffle with police in Manhattan. Those charges were eventually dropped, but she was fired from her news anchor post and is now waging a wrongful-termination suit against KYW-TV.

According to news reports, the FBI began investigating Mendte in the spring, when a station employee discovered a computer that was logged into Lane's private e-mail account - nearly two months after she was fired. In addition to his house arrest, Mendte must complete 250 hours of community service and pay a $5,000 fine. -end-

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