Sordid Secretive Scandal

Back before the scandal surrounding the demise of the Village Voice, before Tony Ortega’s bosses, Michael Lacey and James Larkin,  in Phoenix began destroying all the evidence they could that might implicate them in the global sex scandal spiraling so out of control lengthy prison sentences seemed the only plausible outcome… Back before all that, a secret deal was made. A deal between Tony Ortega and his bosses.

Tony Ortega was promised that if he could keep his mouth shut, he’d be rewarded with an executive assignment as chief editor at a far “more lucrative and prestigious” posting than the “lowly” Voice. It was an offer Ortega found too good to resist.

At least, until the realization that this new “lucrative and prestigious” gig wasn’t even a _real_paper, but an online “news” website called The Raw Story. Far from “lucrative” or “prestigious,” _The Raw Story_waslittle more than a left leaning tabloid gossip blog.Think: _The Daily Caller_or _Breitbart_News, for the cattier cappuccino crowd.

To this day, Tony Ortega refuses to answer any questions about his sordid and secretive history with _New Times Media._What is it you’re hiding Tony? Was the attempt to change the name from New Times Media to _Village Voice Media_some kind of misguided attempt to sweep the backpage.com underage sex trafficking scandal under the carpet? Is that why you all decided to change the name yet again to _Voice Media Group?_Were you hoping against hope we’d be thrown off by this?

When will the real story come out? Why not share it with your readers, Tony? Or is your complicity in the flesh trade your organization built and disseminated around the world deeper and more damning than we imagine.

When will you at last be truthful on the details surrounding your firing from the Village Voice, Tony Ortega? Your public awaits…