WTAE photographer Lenni Todd has been ordered to stand trial for allegedly groping a 21-year-old woman after he tricked her into filming a bogus interview.
According to the Observer-Reporter, Todd decided to wave a preliminary hearing on Monday in an effort to avoid anticipated media coverage, moving the case closer to a trial.
In June, Todd, 58, reportedly conned his way into the woman’s home by telling her that he was shooting video for Animal Planet. According to court documents, Todd showed up to her house in a vehicle emblazoned with the WTAE logo and used equipment that bore the station’s name. While setting up for the bogus interview, Todd allegedly touched the woman’s breasts and groped her buttocks.
While he wasn’t on duty at the time, Todd told police that he was running late for his 10:30 a.m. shift at WTAE.
He was charged in June with indecent assault, disorderly conduct, and harassment.
WTAE released a statement last month saying that they planned to fully cooperate with the investigation. Since then, news director Alex Bongiorno has declined to comment on Todd’s employment status with the station.