Tulsa World: News anchor arrested on DUI complaint

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News anchor arrested on DUI complaint

ARRESTED
Jerry Giordano: The KTUL anchor was arrested Friday on complaints of hit-and-run and driving under the influence.

By Staff Reports
Published: 7/6/2008 3:56 AM
Last Modified: 7/7/2008 1:40 AM

Correction
This story misidentified Carlton Houston of KTUL, channel 8. He is the station’s news director.

A Tulsa television news anchor was arrested Friday on complaints of hit-and-run and driving under the influence, according to an arrest report.

Jerry Giordano, longtime news reporter and weekend anchor at KTUL Channel 8, was arrested at 6:20 p.m. and booked into the Tulsa Jail, the report states.

He posted $6,000 in bonds and was released at 9:54 p.m., according to the Tulsa Jail's Web site.

KTUL station manager Carlton Houston said he couldn't comment on whether Giordano would be disciplined.

"This is a pretty serious situation, but I can't comment further," he said. "It's a personnel issue."

According to the arrest report, officers were dispatched to the area of the 1400 block of East 35th Place in reference to a hit-and-run and driving under the influence. Residents in the area said several vehicles and two street signs were struck by a car traveling in the neighborhood.

One area resident told police that he heard a collision from inside his home and chased a white 1992 BMW driven by Giordano for two blocks, until the car "crashed in a yard," the report states.

While being interviewed by police, Giordano reportedly told officers, "I have been drinking beer this afternoon" and "I know I am drunk," the arrest report states. Officers also reported that Giordano asked

several times "What would it take to make this go away?"

Giordano, 46, has worked at KTUL since 1996, according to the station's Web site.

His court date stemming from the felony hit-and-run complaint and the misdemeanor DUI is set for Friday, according to the jail's Web site. By Staff Reports

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	Report Comment irwindale, (7/6/2008 7:46:57 AM) We have part time landlords degrading our neighborhoods, $7.1 million going to BOK because of Savage, Christianson wants to put a band-aid on our streets and this is news!
	Report Comment Guywire, Claremore (7/6/2008 8:08:18 AM) We wondered why he did not work last night! His lovely co-anchor said nothing about him that we heard. Come on channel 8, this is news, not a personnel matter! We never watch any news on the weekend but yours.
	Report Comment irwindale, (7/6/2008 8:41:23 AM) News my...this is gossip!
	Report Comment Ladybug, Tulsa (7/6/2008 12:47:55 PM) He is lucky he didnt kill someone or himself. He should have the same consequences as anyone else.
	Report Comment Sid, (7/6/2008 1:41:01 PM) Every picture tells a story...
	Report Comment Coffee, please., (7/6/2008 8:25:05 PM) The book should be thrown at him. Shame on you, Mr. Giordano.
	Report Comment emotional_sting, (7/6/2008 9:20:34 PM) it's not a total tragedy! the new latino tv station will hire him!
	Report Comment Hijinx, (7/7/2008 6:53:21 AM) What a bunch of self righteous, stone throwing, holier than thou, people on here! Nothing but “hard hitting”news rants from people on here who have already read and weighed in with there 2 cents makes no sense. You read it, you commented on it, the number 2 most viewed story! So, apparently its news worthy to some. Get off your high horses, the guy screwed up. What do you want his head on a platter?
	Report Comment Guywire, Claremore (7/7/2008 7:03:48 AM) News anchors set themselves up to be examples to the community, (they supposedly "care"). Their fall from grace is news, if they can't stand the heat stay out of the kitchen! Boose and beer is the users choice. Some one said"The gun did it arrest the gun" and was called a moron by another, now you say the poor soul can't help him self "the strong drink did it.
	Report Comment J, (7/7/2008 10:53:41 AM) I'm not excusing Mr. Giordano's actions as nobody should. People get DUI's everyday, but when you're in the public eye (nationally or locally) you're under scrutiny quite a bit more. Coming from a family of alcoholics (I don't drink) I can see the horrible outcome that alcohol abuse causes, plus the most obvious lapse(s) in judgement. It's lucky in one sense that nobody was killed. It's also not surprising that he asked the police "What would it take to make this go away?" I'm sure there's been others that have asked the same question. The best outcome for this is for him to face punishment like the rest of us would and hopefully get the treatment he needs to keep this from happening again.
	Report Comment 2curious, (7/7/2008 11:14:01 AM) This holier-than-thou society cracks me up right now (sad really). Might as well give him a Scarlet Letter to wear... Let's focus on some real news.
	Report Comment RockBoston, (7/7/2008 12:08:10 PM) 2curious What holier people are you talking about? Seems we all agree he should be in trouble. Nobody here seems to think he should let off the hook.
	Report Comment Guywire, Claremore (7/7/2008 12:19:32 PM) I personally have suffered great financial loss, my family has suffered great financial loss, by being at the wrong place at the wrong time, crashed into by drunk drivers. They are treated to lenient by our court system, which is hard to understand. My wreck was 10:45 in the morning, the drunk that rearended me while I was sitting waiting to make a left turn was fleeing from a wreck about two blocks back where he had t-boned a party in an entersection. He had a big car, but everything was in someone elses name, he was a pauper, had a large steele company named for him, but ownership was in someone elses name.
	Report Comment brandonntulsa, (7/7/2008 12:20:01 PM) I currently have a DUI and I am paying the consequences. I know what I did was wrong and I will not do it again. This crap is costing me and arm and leg literally. It sucks and I hope no one has to deal with it, EVER! I personally know Jerry but I do think that we all have to pay for the things we do.
	Report Comment red, (7/7/2008 12:22:11 PM) I am in agreement with you J.
	Report Comment michael andrew, (7/7/2008 12:39:08 PM) wow, been with ktul a longtime....this is how you ruin a great career!
	Report Comment Ladybug, Tulsa (7/7/2008 1:05:25 PM) What goes around comes around Jerry!
	Report Comment SRV, (7/7/2008 1:11:33 PM) A second strike for News Channel 8. First we had Yvonne Harris' ex get busted and now this......Interesting how they did not cover either story.
	Report Comment The Good Doctor, (7/7/2008 2:25:37 PM) Um, I actually AM holier than this guy.
	Report Comment cuinheaven, (7/7/2008 2:43:50 PM) Me too Good Doctor...
	Report Comment dynawife, (7/7/2008 2:47:53 PM) OMG!! I don't think any station has reported on the demise of one of their employees. This willbe dealt with internally, but he may never be on this station again. If the news reported on every DUI, I don't think they would have time for anything else.
	Report Comment eddieo, (7/7/2008 3:40:26 PM) I took personal interest in this story. I was 5 years old when I was hit by a drunk driver. By all accounts I should not have lived. I still have the physical scars after 38 years to remind me. Price of drinking a six pack at home: $5.49. Price of taking a taxi home after drinking: $20.00. Saving the life of some innocent person: Priceless. Not bashing, just making a statement.
	Report Comment big empty, (7/7/2008 3:45:01 PM) "What would it take to make it go away ..." I love it. So much for those journalistic principles, huh?
	Report Comment watermaker, Morris (7/7/2008 3:54:58 PM) I can't believe some of you people, just because he happens to be in the media a lot of you have self appointed yourselves judge, jury and executioner in this case. Yes, he screwed up and he'll suffer the consequences for it, but how do you know he's an alcoholic, how do you know the circumstances behind it, he could have a personal tragedy that lead to all of this. Now how about all of you hipocrits getting off your high horses and find out the real truth before you make stupid unconfirmed accusations.
	Report Comment The Man, Tulsa (7/7/2008 4:19:59 PM) B-b-but it's the Internet! It's the negativity capitol of the world. How dare you infringe upon our rights to impugn the honor of some guy we've never met. Certainly you don't think we need evidence, do you?

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