Speakeasy

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/24/09 9:00 PM

"It's sort of like a swan, where we're kind of calm and serene above water -- but we're paddling like mad, going crazy underneath, trying to look smooth."

-- First lady Michelle Obama's analogy on planning and hosting a state dinner

Green thumbs, gold plates: White House garden serves as inspiration for first state dinner

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/24/09 9:00 PM

In picking a theme for the decor for the Obama administration's first state dinner with India, the first lady went for the obvious: garden.

Michelle Obama's green thumbprints were all over the decor, food and flower arrangements at Tuesday's big event held outside in the South Lawn under a big tent.

The tent was decorated to look like a garden with magnolia branches hugging the walls of the structure. And the flower arrangements -- composed of hydrangeas, garden roses and sweet peas -- were to mimic the look of a "classic American garden," we're told. White House arugula, from the garden, was served in the salad, along with vegetables from other local sources.

"It's going to include the freshest ingredients from area farmers and purveyors," Obama said of the food, as she debuted the menu and place settings Tuesday afternoon for a gaggle of reporters and young women from the White House's Leadership and Mentoring Program. "And because of all of the hard work of some other kids in the community, we've got this wonderful White House kitchen garden out in the South Lawn and we're going to use some of the herbs from that garden in tonight's dinner as well," she gushed.

In a affair where every choice sends a message, the Obamas' zeal for gardening and sustainable foods was clear, but they made sure the dinner included touches of India as well. The deep purple flower arrangements placed ...

Love Triangle: WaPo's top pundit an ex of school chancellor

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/24/09 9:00 PM

It turns out that The Washington Post's "America's Next Great Pundit" was in bed with a local official.

Literally.

Winner of the Post's columnist contest, Teach for America Executive Kevin Huffman, is the ex-husband of D.C. schools chief Michelle Rhee, according to The Washington Post.

Rhee and Huffman moved to the District from Colorado in 2007 with their two children when Rhee accepted her post as chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools system.

Although the couple are no longer together, Rhee's fiance Kevin Johnson, the mayor of Sacramento, Calif., supported Huffman with an e-mail to friends asking them to vote for the rising pundit, according to the Gotham Schools blog.

FLOTUS finery: Indian American designer dresses Michelle Obama

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/24/09 9:00 PM

Indian-American designer Naeem Khan revealed to Yeas & Nays that two of his designs were among those the first lady could pick from to wear for Tuesday's state dinner, and it turns out Khan was the chosen one.

Michelle Obama sparkled in Khan's elegant, long, champagne-colored floral gown with an overlay of sterling silver sequins at the administration's first state dinner with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

She adorned the outfit with a champagne shawl (another nod to Indian style) and glittering traditional Indian bangles. She wore her hair brushed back in a sophisticated updo.

Khan was born in India and moved to the United States as a teenager, and has dressed everyone from Beyonce to Queen Noor of Jordan. Yeas & Nays chatted with Khan on Monday, and he was confident that Mrs. O would favor one of his selections of modernized traditional Indian ware, but kept the design a mystery.

David Plouffe: Oprah was used to create e-mail list, not get votes for Obama

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/24/09 9:00 PM

During the presidential campaign, it was big news when Oprah Winfrey stumped for Barack Obama.

But campaign manager David Plouffe revealed Monday she wasn't there to garner votes, she was there to amass e-mail addresses for the campaign's massive contact list.

"The narrative at the moment in the media was this could be a big mistake because Oprah's support may not transfer to votes," Plouffe recalled at a book signing hosted by Politics and Prose. "Of course not, we knew that, we didn't think anybody was going to vote for us because Oprah was in Iowa. What we did know was that we could send Oprah to Iowa, have 22,000 people attend events, which is an enormous number in the state of Iowa, and of course with the data these days, we knew who they were that night."

Speakeasy

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/23/09 9:00 PM

"Sometimes I would get mischievous and put people who were not enamored with each other together. ... Everyone is on good behavior at the White House."

-- President Ford's Social Secretary Maria Downs on creating the seating chart for state dinners

India's premier, turkeys to spend night at Willard

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/23/09 9:00 PM

Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh is not the only top White House guest staying at the Willard InterContinental Hotel this week: Turns out, the two very lucky turkeys the president pardons Wednesday will be cooped up in the historic spot, as well.

When the birds check in Tuesday, they'll be housed in a deluxe guest room with an adjoining room for their handler, and baby gates will pen them in. Hotel spokeswoman Barbara Bahny made it very clear the turkeys would be housed near the bathroom and not near the beds.

As to which one of the White House guests is getting a better spot, Bahny laid it out simply: "The turkeys are in little cages, and the prime minister is the head of state."

WH staffers share state dinner flubs

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/23/09 9:00 PM

Johnny Cash canceled at the last minute on President Ford's Social Secretary Maria Downs, while bad weather upended one of President George W. Bush's state dinners so much that Social Secretary Catherine Fenton worried there would be empty seats.

Even with all the planning, state dinners are still high-stress society events. Former White House aides revealed to Yeas & Nays some of their frenzied moments, while advising what Michelle Obama and current Social Secretary Desiree Rogers can do to keep those moments to a minimum Tuesday night.

Laura Bush's Chief of Staff Anita McBride said having an experienced staff was key, and it had to make the dinner look effortless. She recalled a reciprocal dinner (a state dinner, but abroad) held for the queen of England when the ambassador's dog started barking right as the queen was to begin her toast.

"[Fenton] just scooped that dog right up in her arms and walked right out of the room," McBride said, commending Bush's social secretary.

Downs recommended paying close attention to both the guest list and the seating chart.

"You want to make sure you invite people who make for an interesting evening," she said.

And you don't have to honor all of their requests. When a married Henry Kissinger asked Downs to put attractive women at his side, she smartly responded: "If I have beautiful women and I know what they look like, I'm going to put them o...

Designer hopes to leave his mark at state dinner

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/23/09 9:00 PM

Naeem Khan eager to find out if first lady will wear Indian-inspired submission

When first lady Michelle Obama keeps her closet on lockdown before major events, fashion greats and rookies feel anxiety and hope she will pick their design.

Even for the first state dinner Tuesday in tribute to fashion-forward India, the first lady has maintained her code of secrecy.

"With her you never know what she's going to wear, and I hope that she's wearing something from me," said Indian-American designer Naeem Khan, who was among the designers chosen to submit pieces for the first lady. Khan described the two dresses he submitted as very modern, but based on Indian fabrication.

As expectations climb for the first Obama state dinner, many are eager to see how the blend of cultures will reflect the drama of the evening.

Khan, who has dressed royalty including Queen Noor of Jordan and Princess Yasmin Aga Khan and advised Oprah Winfrey's business partner Gayle King on Indian wear for the dinner, gave Yeas & Nays a glimpse on what we can expect Tuesday night.

For Indian heads of state, Naeem Khan said to expect traditional saris and the popular two-piece outfit -- the scarf and shawl with a long top and fitted pants.

"The sari is a big player in this whole game and the colors," Khan said.

For other attendees, Khan said he hoped they would reflect Indian fashion with embroidery, ...

Sightings: Barbara Boxer celebrates daughter's birthday at Masa 14

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/22/09 9:00 PM

Before spending Saturday stuck in the Senate talking health care, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D- Calif., was spotted Thursday celebrating her daughter Nicole's birthday at Masa 14, a newly opened spot in Logan Circle that features Latin-Asian fare.

Mom and daughter Boxer, and about 25 others, spent several hours at the restaurant, sampling the cocktails and Masa 14's signature flatbreads.

Top-less Chef: Citronelle's Michel Richard shows skin for charity

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/22/09 9:00 PM

Citronelle's Michel Richard must have gotten the memo that sex sells.

The burly celebrity chef was spotted showing some skin at Saturday's Starlight Children's Foundation Gala, where he was assisting with the live auction.

On the auction block was a wine-pairing dinner for 10 at his flagship restaurant, Citronelle, in Georgetown and five rooms at the Four Seasons. Richard's goal was for the bidding to top $10,000.

"Do I have to take my top off?" Richard asked the audience, and then unbuttoned his black chef's coat and exposed his bare chest.

The audience loved it, we're told.

And though Richard exposed no six-pack under his shirt, Yeas & Nays confirmed he indeed met his goal, and the restaurant/hotel package sold for more than $10,000.

Cashing Out: 'Blonde Charity Mafia' star sells her wardrobe on eBay

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/22/09 9:00 PM

Whip out your credit cards, ladies: Katherine Kennedy, the star of CW's "Blonde Charity Mafia," is going rogue and selling her wardrobe on eBay.

Some of the fashion staples the socialite is willing to give up on the online auction site: a black velvet Marc Jacobs blazer that originally retailed for $358, an authentic Alberta Ferretti silk gown for the buy-it-now price of $1,099.99 and a gold Grecian Nicole Miller dress, new with tags for $259.

Kennedy told Yeas & Nays her friend Kathryn Leas asked if she could support her consignment venture by selling some of her clothes.

"How could I say no?" Kennedy said. "It's a great way to clear the closet of never or barely worn dresses and gowns."

Local veterans live, learn at American University

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/22/09 9:00 PM

This is the true story of six Iraq war veterans who decided to live together and study at American University to find out what happens when men return home from war and start their college educations.

Welcome to 4335 Van Ness St. NW, or, as the veterans who live there call it, Forward Operating Base Van Ness.

The undergraduates, who range between the ages of 23 and 36, are from across the country and represent different ethnic backgrounds. They ended up living together because of their participation in AU's chapter of Student Veterans of America.

And, more importantly, because they have one thing in common: their tours in Iraq.

"Outside of the fact that we live together and that we all served, there is really not one particular thing you could say about all of us," said senior Brandon Krapf, 27. "Like for political things, we're all across the spectrum."

The residence -- part fraternity house, part military barracks -- boasts typical college amenities like grungy couches, a foosball table, a dartboard and a hot tub in the garage.

But it's atypical, too. Cleanliness is enforced, military style.

"Direct confrontation is the way we deal with things," said junior Matthew Halbe, 25.

The roommates, who are studying at American under the GI Bill, also communicate in military lingo, enjoy group physical training and refer to one another as "ate-up" or "chewed-up" if someone doesn't look his be...

Better than Bud: Brew experts share District's top beer taps

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/22/09 9:00 PM

Perhaps it's just a little shameless flattery, but Christina Perozzi and Hallie Beaune -- beer connoisseurs and authors of "The Naked Pint: An Unadulterated Guide to Craft Beer" -- think D.C. gets it when it comes to beer.

“It’s a good beer culture here,” Perozzi said when she and her co-author were in town Wednesday for a beer pairing and book signing event at CulinAerie sponsored by the National Beer Wholesalers Association lobbying group.

Perozzi and Beaune revealed to Yeas & Nays where they liked to stop in the District to get a cold one.

"I love, love, love Granville Moore's," Perozzi said, giving high marks to the rustic H Street Northeast spot for its great selection of Belgian beers.

Also on her list were K Street's Brasserie Beck and Georgetown's Pizzeria Paradiso, which has 16 beers on tap and 80 bottled beers to choose from in the restaurant's basement bar.

Beaune said she was already a fan of the newly opened Logan Circle brew spot ChurchKey.

"That place is great because they organize their beer list by flavor," Beaune said.

And though some of D.C.'s bars and restaurants boast impressive tap and bottle lists, Perozzi said she still saw room for improvement.

"I'm more interested in the restaurants -- there's a gaping hole in that area," she said, noting D.C.'s fine dining establishments simply should have five di...

By the numbers

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/22/09 9:00 PM

There is no prerequisite for the number of state dinners a president can hold during his time in office. Some presidents charm state leaders regularly and others, like George W. Bush, "considered it a very special venue to honor a head of state" and used it "judiciously," according to his Social Secretary Catherine Fenton.

27

The number of state dinners hosted by President George H.W. Bush during his one-term presidency.

31

The number of state dinners hosted by President Clinton during his two terms.

6

The number of state dinners hosted by President George W. Bush during his eight years in office.

Speakeasy

By: Tara Palmeri
11/19/09 9:00 PM

"When Mayor Giuliani makes a decision about serving in public office, he will inform New Yorkers on his own."

-- Giuliani spokeswoman Maria Comella, in a statement on her boss' position on running for either governor of New York or U.S. Senate. New York newspapers have been speculating recently on the former mayor's political future.

More trouble: Sen. Lugar's wife gets hit with drunken-driving, hit-and-run charges

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/19/09 9:00 PM

Proving that alcohol violations aren't just for politicians' kids, Sen. Richard Lugar's 76-year-old wife, Charlene, was charged Wednesday night with drunken driving and a hit-and-run, accused of smashing into a parked vehicle and driving away, the Associated Press reported.

She was driving alone and no one was in the car she hit.

"Thankfully, no one was injured," Sen. Lugar said in a statement released by his office. "We are deeply sorry and embarrassed that this accident has occurred." The incident took place in the Lugars' neighborhood in McLean. Charlene Lugar's day in court has been scheduled for January.

Sightings: Double Kornheisers spotted at Morton's

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/19/09 9:00 PM

A patron at Morton's the Steakhouse in Georgetown was seeing double Wednesday as he sat at the bar with ESPN's "Pardon The Interruption" host Tony Kornheiser, one of our spies reports.

As the show was playing in the background, the patron noticed the real Kornheiser was wearing the same suit and tie as the Kornheiser on television. He then had to explain he had just finished taping the show to the gentleman, who kept looking back and forth between the two Kornheisers.

Also spotted walking on M Street toward the Four Seasons Hotel: Robin Williams in all black with three shopping bags in hand. Williams is performing two comedy shows this weekend at DAR Constitution Hall.

Political bad eggs of the decade

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/19/09 9:00 PM

With Thursday's reports out of Hollywood that Sen. John Kerry's daughter Alexandra was arrested on suspicion of DUI, the senator's daughter joins the list of prominent politicians' kids who have gotten in trouble with the law. Yeas & Nays took a look over the past decade to bring you the most prominent political offspring who were cited, charged or arrested for bad behavior.

The least offensive on the list is Vice President Biden's daughter Ashley, who was arrested in 2002 at the age of 21 on a charge of obstructing a police officer outside a Chicago bar when her friend threw a soda can at the cop.

In 2001, President George W. Bush's twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, were arrested at 19 for dabbling with alcohol. Barbara Bush was charged with underage possession, and Jenna Bush was charged with using a fake ID to buy a drink.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's daughter Noelle, then 24, was arrested in 2002 for calling in a fake prescription of Xanax at a Tallahassee Walgreens.

Robert Lugar, son of Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., was arrested in 2001 for marijuana possession in McCordsville. Lugar was pulled over for his expired plates, but once the sheriff caught a whiff of marijuana in the car, a plastic bag of weed was discovered under the Jeep's floor mat.

Few D.C. natives can forget the morning when Patrick Kennedy crashed his Ford Mustang into a Capitol Hill barricade in 2006. The...

Jill Biden, Pelosi pack care packages for female soldiers

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/19/09 9:00 PM

It was the lipstick that got Jill Biden excited, and for Nancy Pelosi, it was the puzzle books and the lip moisturizer.

For the first time ever, the United Service Organizations stuffed care packages exclusively for female soldiers, and the second lady and speaker of the House were on hand to help.

"Many of the women on the front line requested something a little more personal directed toward them, and here we are, answering their call," Pelosi said Wednesday on Capitol Hill, before shoving Cosmopolitan magazines, flowery-smelling deodorant and, yes, lip moisturizer into plastic bags.

"I want our female servicewomen to know my husband and the president and his team recognize the special circumstances that women in the military face and are working to meet these needs," Biden added, before aiding in the effort to create 2,000 care packages.

In addition, more than a dozen members of Congress stopped by the "stuffing party," including Reps. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and Chet Edwards, D-Texas, who formerly represented Fort Hood.

First lady Michelle Obama also hosted a tea party Wednesday for women in the military.

One reporter's move to 'The Colbert Report'

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/18/09 6:00 PM

After traveling around the country with Republican candidates, including John McCain, as an embedded reporter for NBC News and the National Journal, D.C.-based journalist Adam Aigner-Treworgy found himself out of work and looking for his next opportunity in the news business.

That's when the fake news business came calling: Aigner-Treworgy was told of a position opening up at Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report."

"I sent in my resume that night, and two weeks later they offered me the job," he told Yeas & Nays while he was back in Washington sharing his campaign trail experiences.

Now the ex-reporter is using his knowledge of journalism and politics to smarten the show, hosted by faux-pundit Stephen Colbert.

In doing his research, Aigner-Treworgy has figured out who likes and doesn't like getting calls from "The Report."

"NRA will never call me back," he conceded. "Luckily, law professors and professors of things and think tanks will always answer the phone and will talk about it, and it's great cachet for parents who want to tell their kids that they are getting calls from 'The Colbert Report.' "

After this stint, he said he would consider coming back to the real news, especially to cover another presidential election, but now he understands the reality of both sides of the business.

Where in the world is Rod Blagojevich?

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/18/09 6:00 PM

We hope nobody held their breath.

The greatly anticipated guest of the National Press Club's annual book fair, Rod Blagojevich, was a no-show.

The former Illinois governor was slated to promote his new book, "The Governor" on Tuesday.

Press Club manager William McCarren said he learned Blagojevich ditched the event early that morning from his publicist, Glenn Selig. Selig said Blagojevich never arrived in New York for a scheduled television project, so he would not make his Amtrak train to D.C.

Yeas & Nays asked Selig why Blagojevich didn't fly to D.C. instead.

"Everything was fallen into disarray at the last minute," Selig said. "It wasn't like the Press Club paid for him to come to the event."

Participating author Ann Coulter said she was "bitterly disappointed" Blagojevich canceled his appearance.

"Unlike Carrie Prejean or say Mark Foley or I don't know, a normal person, some people react to embarrassment by showing up on TV and trying to be more visible," she said.

Andrews in town to promote new book

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/18/09 6:00 PM

Julie Andrews has already been spotted dining in Washington, but fans can catch The "Sound of Music" and "Mary Poppins" star Thursday at Politics and Prose. She'll sign copies of her new book, "Julie Andrews' Collection of Songs, Poems, and Lullabies," with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, from 4 to 6 p.m.

There are some strict guidelines for the event: one book signed per person, line begins at 3 p.m. and no photos -- but there is nothing that says one can't ask the actress to sing.

Coulter tells beauty queen to 'go forth and sin no more'

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/18/09 6:00 PM

Well, at least someone's got her back.

The queen of controversy, Ann Coulter, and fallen beauty queen Carrie Prejean have been compared in recent months for their outspoken advocacy of conservative Christian values.

Coulter even came to Prejean's defense after her performance on "Larry King Live," saying the veteran anchorman was badgering her.

But now with word of multiple sex tapes and other bad behavior, Yeas & Nays sat down with Coulter to see whether she could still stand behind the beauty queen.

"I would say that she is a great gal," Coulter said. "I think she did some bad things unbecoming of a Christian ... the latest entry that she lied about the age she was [in the sex tape]. It was rather more recent and that there are more tapes, that makes it a little trickier."

Despite Prejean's "sins," Coulter said how she handles the tapes is critical.

"I just hope she clings to Christ and not to these pornographers who want to offer her a lot of money to market the tapes," Coulter said.

As for her reported bad behavior toward a CNN news assistant on the set of "Larry King Live," Coulter blamed Prejean's immaturity combined with broken promises by the media.

"Suddenly she is in the vortex of all of this hatred. And you have to say that it is directed at her for being a Christian -- that's a lot to take," Coulter ...

Feed America: Hatch says skip meals for the hungry

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/17/09 9:00 PM

Several stomachs will be growling if anyone listens to Sen. Orrin Hatch's call to skip to two meals Thursday and donate the money that would have been spent on food to organizations that feed the hungry.

The Utah Republican sponsored the resolution to make Nov. 19 national "Feed America Day."

"During these economic times, nearly all of us have family, friends and neighbors who are in need," Hatch said. "Unfortunately, the resources on hand to meet those needs are too often in short supply."

Sightings: Powell, Dowd do lunch

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/17/09 9:00 PM

That was New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd power lunching Monday with former Secretary of State Colin Powell. The two met at the Bombay Club in downtown Washington.

Speakeasy

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/17/09 9:00 PM

"The press that I spent every second with did everything they could do to get the story right, and they worked their tails off, and they weren't around their families and they never slept -- they drank a little bit."

-- Jamie Smith, former traveling press director for the Hillary Clinton for President campaign. Smith recounted her experiences as a "press handler" Monday night as part of the "All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt: Campaign Embeds Look Back a Year Later" event hosted by Campus Progress and George Washington University

Former Washington Times editorial chief: 'I was coerced to attend mass wedding'

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/17/09 9:00 PM

Former Washington Times editorial page editor Richard Miniter says he was "coerced" by company President Tom McDevitt into attending a mass wedding hosted by paper owner Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church in New York last December. Miniter said his shot at running the paper's editorial page would be in jeopardy if he skipped the event.

"Being forced to attend any religion's service against your will is always uncomfortable," Miniter told Yeas & Nays, describing himself as a "plain vanilla Christian." But it was even more uncomfortable with his boss, McDevitt, sitting next to him. "[He] was examining every microreaction of mine at the time."

This incident and several others make up the discrimination charges that Miniter filed Tuesday with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He said he was discriminated against because of his religion, age and disability. He also maintained that the company's vice president of human resources started a series of investigations against him, causing him to work from home, in retribution for his refusal to sign a fraudulent document. In addition, he says, he signed a year-long contract with the paper in February when he was promoted to editorial page editor. "The Times backed me in a corner and it looked like the company was going to go under and not ... pay me," Miniter said.

Miniter's c...

Say what?: High rollers interested in the little guys

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/17/09 9:00 PM

The social gathering at the Hotel Monaco following the screening of "TEN9EIGHT: Shoot for the Moon," had a different tone than the typical Washington ballroom.

The big guys -- like chief executive officers, famous journalists and department heads -- were crowding around the little guys: Inner city students whose inspirational stories were featured in the documentary, which chronicles the race to the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship's annual business competition.

Seasoned business leaders were eager to talk to the young entrepreneurs about their business plans for products and services ranging from film production to scented body lotions.

Hilary Rosen, political strategist and cousin of the network's CEO Amy Rosen, said, "You look at a film like this and you see the kids and you have to ask yourself, am I doing enough?"

And Hilary Rosen brought in some major players for self-reflection, including Greta Van Susteren, who told Yeas & Nays she attended the event for Rosen. CNN’s Jessica Yellin also was in attendance.

“Friends inspire friends,” Rosen told Yeas & Nays.

Among the high rollers eager to meet finalist Rodney Walker and semifinalists Jamal Wills and William Mack were self-made millionaire and "Pursuit of Happyness" author Chris Gardner, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce Dennis F. Hightower, Chairman and C...

Washington Times editor alleges religious discrimination

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/17/09 6:11 PM

As if the struggling paper didn't have enough problems, Washington Times editorial page editor Richard Miniter has filed a discrimination report with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging the paper forced him to attend a Unification Church event in December 2008, among other grievances.

According to the complaint, Miniter "was coerced by President Tom McDevitt to attend a Unification Church event in New York City with him."

McDevitt was one of the three executives ousted in last week's shake-up at the Times. Miniter also alleges the paper discriminated against him based on his age, religion and disability.

Documentation of the complaint follows.





Discrimination Complaint Richard Miniter -



Larry Klayman -