Fla. Arts Columnist Resigns After Postings on Phony Web Site

Posted Friday, May 5, 2006 12:00 am

By: E&P Staff An arts columnist for a tabloid newspaper published by the St. Petersburg Times has resigned after posting several messages on a phony Web site mocking a county commissioner.

Gina Vivinetto worked for TBT, a free tabloid edition of the Times aimed at younger readers. She resigned after posting comments on the phony MySpace site mocking Hillsborough County Commissioner Ronda Storms, who is known for her conservative stances on social issues.

Times executive editor Neil Brown said in a story published today that Vivinetto's irreparably compromised her credibility as a journalist for the company.

Vivinetto had been with the Times since 1990, working as a copy clerk and then music critic. She joined the staff of TBT as an arts columnist last year. She could not be reached for comment.

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Fla. Arts Columnist Resigns After Postings on Phony Web Site

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