Times Suspends Hiltzik, Cancels Blog and Column

The L.A. Times, in classic "bury the news" mode, has released this news about its columnist and blogger, Michael Hiltzik, on a Friday afternoon. A Times editor's note to readers is at the subject link.

Hiltzik will be "reassigned." I think that is overly generous on the Times' part, considering this isn't Hiltzik's first ethical transgression. Apparently his pseudonym "sock puppetry," as some bloggers are calling it, on top of hacking into his colleagues' email accounts while he was stationed in Moscow years ago, wasn't enough to merit firing in his employer's eyes.

Unless Hiltzik has suddenly decided to reform, what will his ethical transgression be at his next Times assignment?

L.A. Observed has a Times note to staff.

Reaction at Patterico's Pontifications.

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