Alexander Brothers Allegedly Paid Journalists Up to $15,000 for Favorable Trial Coverage
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 8
Alexander Brothers Allegedly Paid Journalists Up to $15,000 for Favorable Trial Coverage
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 8
Summary
$15,000 for Daniel Mael and $10,000 for Frank Parlato are the payments the Alexander brothers are accused of arranging for sympathetic coverage during their sex-trafficking trial, according to a New York Times report.
Mael and Parlato denied taking money in exchange for favorable coverage, though Mael said publicist Juda Engelmayer helped subsidize his reporting costs and Engelmayer said he recruited independent writers to ensure the defense perspective was heard.
Mael argued his coverage remained independent, noting he highlighted damaging evidence against the brothers, including a text in which Alon Alexander referred to having 'took down a 17 year old.'
The allegations surface after Tal, Oren and Alon Alexander were convicted in March and sentenced on Oct. 27 to 30 years each for sex-trafficking crimes that prosecutors said involved drugging and raping numerous women, including minors.
With the criminal case finished, the brothers now face civil suits from three women, while prosecutors have said more than 70 women came forward and 11 testified at trial.