Abc Faces Credibility Crisis Over Stephanopoulos Donations
NEW YORK (AP) -- George Stephanopoulos apologized to viewers Friday for donating $75,000 to the Clinton Foundation and failing to disclose it earlier, as ABC News now finds its chief anchor in a credibility crisis on the eve of a presidential campaign.
Stephanopoulos said on "Good Morning America" that the donations, made in three increments to the foundation started by his one-time boss, former President Bill Clinton, were a mistake.
"I should have gone the extra mile to avoid even the appearance of a conflict," the "GMA" and "This Week" host said. "I apologize to all of you for failing to do that."
Stephanopoulos rose to the top ranks at ABC over 18 years and worked to establish himself as an independent journalist despite skepticism by some in politics because of his background as a top aide to Clinton's 1992 campaign and later in the White House. The donations brought that issue back to the fore just as Hillary Rodham Clinton is launching her presidential campaign.
ABC News President James Goldston has not addressed whether Stephanopoulos will be disciplined. The network said in a statement Thursday that it stands behind Stephanopoulos and that the anchor made an honest mistake. ABC said Stephanopoulos voluntarily removed himself as a moderator for ABC's planned coverage of a GOP presidential debate next February.
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