Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News
Special investigators in Fairfax County, Virginia, confirmed Wednesday they have launched an investigation into as-yet-murky allegations involving a former member of Jake Tapper’s staff.
According to a report by Fox News, the Fairfax County Police Department confirmed Wednesday that it had launched a criminal investigation “into serious allegations involving potential juvenile victims” and Rick Saleeby, a former producer for the CNN show “The Lead.”
“While we will eventually be transparent about our findings, safeguarding the personal privacy and safety of victims and witnesses as well as maintaining the integrity of our criminal investigation are of paramount importance,” a spokesman for Fairfax County Police said in a statement.
To date, the only details available surrounding this case are those that have been released by Project Veritas.
The conservative activist group, which self-identifies as a guerilla journalism outfit, broke the story on Dec. 15 when it released a report alleging that a CNN producer, later identified as Saleeby, had sent texts and videos in which he expressed graphic and profane sexual fantasies about his now former fiancé’s daughter and sought photos of a different underaged girl.
According to Project Veritas, Saleeby’s former fiancé has filed a protective order against him.
Last week, a Fox Affiliate in Virginia reported that police had seized devices and hard drives belonging to Saleeby, who resigned from CNN earlier in December.
This marks the second time this month that a CNN producer has come under investigation for alleged activities involving minors.
On Dec. 14, John Griffin, a former producer for the show “New Day,” was arrested by the FBI and charged in Vermont with three counts related to allegations he asked parents to allow him to “train” their underage daughters to submit to depraved sexual activity.
Griffin’s case drew extensive coverage from media of all stripe, including Griffin’s former employer.
Saleeby’s case has thus far been marked by the relative silence of mainstream outlets. As of this writing, only Fox News has dedicated space to the story.
CNN has been largely mum, only going so far as to tell Fox News that Saleeby no longer works for the network.
This could be attributable to the absence of formal charges. CNN did not address the Griffin story until after he was arrested and indicted.