Sex Lies and Politics LA Scandal

Los Angeles - A charismatic politician, an attractive television anchorwoman, a broken-hearted spouse: Los Angeles is in the grip of a real-life sex scandal worthy of a Hollywood movie.

In the full glare of the media feeding frenzy is Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who confessed last week that he had been unfaithful to his wife of 20 years, Corina, who filed for divorce last month.

The object of Villaraigosa's extra-marital affections, journalist Mirthala Salinas, was subsequently placed on leave by her bosses at broadcaster Telemundo as they probe possible breaches of professional ethics.

The Los Angeles Times compared the ongoing imbroglio to a 'telenovela', the frequently racy day-time soap operas that are a staple of television stations across Latin America.