LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tronc Inc. says former Los Angeles Times publisher Ross Levinsohn has been cleared of wrongdoing after an investigation into why he was named a defendant in two sexual harassment lawsuits. Levinsohn will be reinstated at Tronc as CEO of its newly reorganized Tribune Interactive division.
The news comes shortly after Tronc announced Wednesday that it was selling the LA Times to Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong for $500 billion. Shiong is a major shareholder of Tronc and one of the richest men in Los Angeles.
A press release said an independent investigation determined Levinsohn had done nothing wrong. He had been on unpaid leave from the Times.
Lewis D’Vorkin, who was briefly the Times’ editor, will serve as Chief Content Officer of Tribune Interactive.