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Source: Men Take Boxes From John Solomon's Old Office At Wash Times

Justin Elliott | November 24, 2009, 11:19AM

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John Solomon (inset)

John Solomon, Tom McDevitt, Unification Church, Washington Times

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Over the weekend, Washington Times employees wondered what was going on when a group of men began hauling boxes out of the large executive office that was used by former Executive Editor John Solomon, a newsroom source tells TPM.

The four middle-aged men closed the blinds in the office and stayed in it for at least two hours, the source says. They left carrying a small box and some other items, in plain view of staffers on weekend duty. Then a pair of men went into the office suite used by Solomon and his assistant, on the mezzanine level of the paper, and carried out several moving boxes on a cart, according to the source.

What were the men doing? It's not at all clear. It's possible that one or both groups of men were merely cleaning out the office.

Solomon, whose resignation the paper announced Nov. 12, has not spoken publicly since his departure. He did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for the Times has not returned calls.

It's worth noting that when Times publisher Tom McDevitt was fired, he was escorted out of the building by security, and his cell phone and computer were confiscated, according to an internal memo of the Unification Church.

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Ray

November 24, 2009 8:24 PM

The big question is what is behind the split? Here's my theory.
The Washington Times is a money pit. Hyun Jin Moon the current leader of the Times is primarily a businessman who looks at the bottom line. He has an MBA and in previous positions such as when he was leader of the Unification company, Happy World (yes a misnomer), he reorganized (reduced) the business and removed long time Unificationists.
I don't know why Hyun Jin would be clinging to the Washington Times, my theory, is that he is going against sinking more money into it. That's a conflict that would make sense to me. He doesn't want his inheritance wasted.
I think Rev Moon and the old-timers if they have a disagreement with Hyun Jin it would be in believing that the venture is worth the price. The younger son that Rev Moon just brought in is a nice person with a 'spiritual' leaning, but he has never before been involved in business. He's one of the few people who might buy the idea that the Washington Times is 'saving America' and worth the cost. Rev. Moon boasts about how much money he has sank into the Times.
If I'm right well find out soon if Hyun Jin stays and cuts are made. As I said it's just my guess.

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