Petrelis Files

Catherine Mathis
Director of Corporate Communications
The New York Times

Dear Ms. Mathis:

Newly available Federal Election Commission records on tray.com show that a New York Times food editor, Ms. Christine Muhlke, donated $500 on June 24 to Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign.

I was under the impression that Times editorial employees were barred from making such contributions, yet I've recently discovered that a fashion editor with the Sunday magazine, Ms. Elizabeth Stewart, also donated to Kerry's campaign.

While neither Muhlke nor Stewart cover politics in any way for the Times, so there's no chance their donations could influence the paper's coverage of Kerry's bid for the White House, I must wonder how these editors could donate to a political candidacy and not face any reprimand from executive editors.

My questions for you are, how is the Times informing editorial staff about the policy prohibiting political giving, and what penalties, if any, do Times reporters and editors risk if they donate to candidates?

A prompt reply is respectfully requested and appreciated.

Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
^^^

www.tray.com

Muhlke, Christine
6/24/2004 $500.00
New York, NY 10014
NEW YORK TIMES/EDITOR -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC