Riedel: "Clear DaY" Cast Member Stealing Money? — Page 2

I haven't seen it reported anywhere else, Jane2, but I normally get my stage news only here or in the Times. Interesting point, though, if Reidel's column is the only place it's appeared.

"But devoting column inches to this matter in a major metropolitan newspaper in the city that has always been the cultural center of a large nation does Reidel no credit. At the very least, it suggests he can't find enough material to fill his column. (If the thief were one of the stars of the show, I might think otherwise; but I'm sure the columnist would have provided a hint if such were the case.)"

Gaveston, I'm gonna give you a pass on this because you're out of town, but this is The Post, not exactly a credit to the Fourth Estate. All of us should consider ourselves lucky that it didn't end up on the front page!

Updated On: 11/25/11 at 02:40 PM

A story about an employee stealing from other employees would regularly make the news, newspapers and other media with a full account of the employee's name and information if it took place in other professions.

Perhaps in a small town where there is little to report. Or perhaps in cases where massive amounts of money are embezzled. But if the major metropolitan newspapers consistently reported on people who stole from coworkers in the office, they would be as thick as phone books.

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Good for you, sonofrobbiej. I knew you were a classy guy.

If the police had NOT been called and the matter were NOT being handled, then this might be a bonafide story. As reported, it's something that has happened almost everywhere I've ever worked without being reported in the press.

I can't speak for others, but not knowing the name of the culprit doesn't bother me.

If the police had NOT been called and the matter were NOT being handled, then this might be a bonafide story.

Not quite. Under those circumstances, it would NOT be a bona-fide story at all. It would be gossip, potentially libelous gossip at that.

According to established journalistic practices, it became a legitimate story when the police made an arrest. Reporting that an arrest has been made is not gossip or libel; is a legitimate story.

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This person definitely can still have a very bright future. Exceedingly talented. But clearly troubled. I, for one, am pulling for them to get the help they need. And if I was in the show and had something stolen from me, I'd still feel the same.

I recall a discussion in a thread several months ago about an actor stealing from his colleagues. When I read it in Riedel's column my first thought was "oh, I heard about this guy on BWW".

I hope he gets help, and it speaks well of his colleagues that they are trying to help him.

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paljoey, what was Watergate but an extended story of undiscovered, unprosecuted crimes? Yes, the bungling burglars may have been charged, but that was only the beginning of Woodward and Bernstein's investigation.

Of course you're right that the media take greater risks when reporting crime that hasn't been officially charged; but when law enforcement fails to follow through or actively covers up a crime, it is very much a part of the media's responsibility to expose the failure. That's one way the fourth estate acts as a check on the government.

The crime here is apparently a petty one. While I agree that Reidel has a right to report it, I don't see why it merits space in a gossip column. And I reiterate that mixing a serious report with facetious remarks about a backer's audience is simply poor taste.

(ETA to joe: who is the wunderkind in this story? Certainly not Reidel. And I promise you that no bosoms have been clutched at my house.)

Updated On: 11/23/11 at 06:14 PM