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After Sting, Fox 13 Hires New Manager

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By THOMAS W. KRAUSE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 14, 2008

TAMPA - WTVT, Channel 13, has hired a general manager to replace Robert Linger, who was arrested last month during a police sting at an adult business.

Linger, 49, will remain with the Fox network, the TV station's owner, as the vice president of infrastructure, handling internal systems for Fox television stations nationally, a spokeswoman for the company said.

He will stay in Tampa but will not work out of the WTVT building, the spokeswoman said. She declined to say whether the change was the result of his arrest.

Linger was arrested May 16 on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior and exposure of a sexual organ, both misdemeanors. An arrest affidavit stated that Linger and other men at Fantasy Land on Lois Avenue formed a circle around undercover officers and began masturbating.

On Thursday, his lawyer entered a written not guilty plea. Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi said Linger has since entered an intervention program for first-time offenders. If he completes the program, which includes community service, the charges will be dropped.

Entering the diversion program is not an admission of guilt, said Linger's attorney, Steve Romine.

"We disagree with the allegations that were made," Romine said. "Our goal was to get the case dismissed. Diversion accomplishes that goal without dragging this out."

Linger has been on leave from the station since his arrest. He has worked there for 18 years
Bill Schneider will replace Linger as vice president and general manager of WTVT. Schneider previously was general manager of the Fox affiliate in Denver.

"We're very excited to have him in Tampa," said Mike McClain, vice president of news for WTVT.

Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.

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