USA Today Editor retires over Jack Kelly's Departure.

[KoKo]

USA TODAY editor retires in wake of reporting scandal
USA TODAY Editor Karen Jurgensen retired Tuesday in the wake of an investigation that found evidence of fabrications by former reporter Jack Kelley.

President and Publisher Craig Moon announced Jurgensen's retirement in an e-mail to staff. Jurgensen, 55, had been editor of USA TODAY since 1999.

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Jurgensen

Her retirement comes a month after the paper published a series of stories detailing Kelley's deceptions. An investigative team of senior journalists found that Kelley had fabricated substantial portions of at least eight major stories, lifted nearly two dozen quotes or other material from competing publications, lied in speeches he gave for the newspaper and conspired to mislead those investigating his work. (Related item: Story on Kelley fabrications)

Kelley, who began work at USA TODAY in 1982, resigned in January amid an initial investigation of his stories.

Company officials had no comment on Jurgensen's retirement beyond Moon's announcement.

The full text of Moon's e-mail to the staff:

"Karen Jurgensen has announced her retirement effective today, Tuesday, April 20th.

"For 21 years, Karen worked tirelessly to build USA TODAY into the nation's largest newspaper. She has been meticulous in every detail since becoming editor. As a result of her efforts, Karen has improved both the presentation and the content of the newspaper. She will be missed.

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