Petrelis Files

July 12, 2004

Catherine Mathis
Director of Communications
The New York Times

Dear Ms. Mathis:

According to new Federal Election Commission records, employees of the New York Times, including a fashion editor for the Sunday Magazine and a former metro desk editor, have donated money to Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign, despite a company ban on such donations.

FEC files show the following:

- On May 25, Elizabeth Stewart, of the Sunday Magazine's fashion pages, contributed $1,000 to Kerry's campaign.

- Former editor for the metro section, Alan Flippen, on May 13 donated $250 to Kerry, and in his FEC file lists his job at The Times as "labor relations."

- William Usuik, from the paper's communications department, sent a check for $1,000 to Kerry on May 20.

- And Douglas Andersen, who listed his New York Times position as "manager," contributed $250 to Kerry's effort back in March. [1, 2]

It is my understanding that the paper's policy prohibiting political donations applies only to editorial staff, so it certainly seems as though among the recent Times donors, only Stewart has violated your standards.

“Staff members may not themselves give money to, or raise money for, any political candidate or election cause. Given the ease of Internet access to public records of campaign contributors, any political giving by a times staff member would carry a great risk of feeding a false impression that the paper is taking sides,” states the code. [3]

Although the prohibition does not officially cover the three other recent Times donors who favor Kerry, there is the appearance that a few of the paper's employees from various divisions, back the Democratic presidential contender.

As a shareholder and a reader, I'd like to know if the ethics and standards editor will demand Stewart get her money refunded, and be reprimanded for breaching company policy.

A prompt reply is requested.

Regards,
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
415-621-6267

Sources:
1. Political Money Line
2. FEC site
3. NYT code of ethics

FEC records:

Andersen, Douglas
3/4/2004 $250.00
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
The New York Times Company/Manager -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Stewart, Elizabeth
5/20/2004 $1,000.00
Santa Monica, CA 90402
NY Times Magazine/Fashion Editor -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Flippen, Alan
5/13/2004 $250.00
New York, NY 10036
New York Times Co./Labor relations -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Usuik, William
5/20/2004 $1,000.00
New York, NY 10014
New York Times/Communications -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC