A CNN producer who was busted by Project Veritas for sending lewd text messages to a woman about his now ex-fiancée’s underage daughter is no longer with the media outlet.
“Rick Saleeby does not work for CNN. He resigned from his position two weeks ago,” CNN’s Head of Strategic Communications Matt Dornic confirmed Wednesdays to The Virginia Star.
Saleeby produced CNN personality Jake Tapper’s show “The Lead.”
Tapper has not commented publicly on the matter.
Saleeby was in court in Fairfax County Tuesday answering to a Protective Order levied against him by his now ex-fiancée.
On December 15, Project Veritas published an interview with Janine Bonanni, a victim of human trafficking and former sex worker who has known Saleeby for 10 years. She said that since August, Saleeby had been confiding in her about wanting to have a sexual relationship with his now ex-fiancée’s underage daughter.
Bonanni then blew the whistle on Saleeby out of concern for the child.
Friday, Fairfax County police seized electronic devices and hard drives from Saleeby, who is now under investigation.
“The Fairfax County Police Department has launched an investigation into serious allegations involving potential juvenile victims,” the department told Project Veritas. “Detectives assigned to the Child Exploitation Squad of the Major Crimes Bureau are leading the investigation. While we will eventually be transparent about our findings, safeguarding the personal privacy and safety of victims and witnesses as well as maintaining the integrity of our criminal investigation are of paramount importance.”
It said it was not in a position to comment further.
When Project Veritas confronted Saleeby outside the Fairfax County courthouse, reporters asked several times whether he was still employed at CNN. Saleeby did not answer any questions, and hurriedly left the premises.
The network has faced scrutiny for the sexual behavior of several of its employees in recent weeks.
Former CNN host Chris Cuomo was fired after he allegedly sexually harassed a coworker. That was after he helped his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) navigate sexual harassment allegations of his own using inside law enforcement sources to warn of an investigation.
Shortly thereafter, Cuomo’s now ex-producer John Griffen was arrested for allegedly attempting to lure underage girls to his home for sex.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Rick Saleeby” by Project Veritas.
