ABC News anchor Ken Rosato, who starred at New York’s ABC 7, was immediately fired when a hot mic caught a vulgar comment about his coworker, The New York Post reported.
Rosato was the longtime star of “Eyewitness News This Morning” in New York but was “immediately fired” when he called co-anchor Shirleen Allicot a four-letter word.
He “called her a c**t” on a hot mic, a source told the Post.
His dismissal comes just weeks after “Good Morning America” released two of the show’s star hosts, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes, over their undisclosed relationship.
Rosato was off the air at the time but “on an open mic” and was “immediately let go” when his comment was overheard.
A second source confirmed to the Post that Rosato was “fired for cause immediately.”
There were rumors that Rosato had utter a racist remark, but that rumor has been repeatedly denied.
“Being fired for any racial slur is 100 percent inaccurate and untrue. Ken Rosato had a benchmark of 20 years at WABC of supporting all equality,” a representative told the Post.
Rosato had been the star of ABC 7’s morning and noon shows since 2007, and had worked at the network since 2003.
Social media users expressed dismay at his sudden departure, and said that it seemed Rosato and his co-anchors had been friends.
Take a look —
#KenRosato Holy Chitballs! Ken Rosato was fired today in NYC for uttering something horrible on a hot mic! His co workers do not know what was said but I’m here dying to find out!! A “source” at ABC said it may have been a racial slur. Yikes!
— Jeannie. 🧞♀️ (@DianaPr27060514) May 13, 2023
https://twitter.com/my_hotsauce/status/1657201330572738560
Local NY @ABC7NY Ken Rosato was fired from his job for calling fellow anchor Shirleen Allicot the "C-word" on a hot mic….I'll give you a hint it's not Courageous or Captivating or Capable pic.twitter.com/vK7OKsEVcs
— Uncle Eddie (@UncleEddie13) May 15, 2023
The Horn editorial team