5 Disgraced New York Icons and How They Recovered (Or Not)
Marv Albert; Forced Sodomy, Assault & Battery
In 1997, NBC sportscaster Marv Albert was arrested in Virginia for assault & battery and forced sodomy (in this case, sodomy means oral sex, which, I don’t know, the South is weird), charges which could have carried a MAXIMUM LIFE SENTENCE. Albert never really denied that he committed any of the sexual acts he was accused of (which included repeatedly biting the victim), but claimed that the sex was consensual. Over the course of the trial, witness after witness testified about all the kinky things Albert liked, including wearing garter belts and stockings, liking men with big penises, and being pretty into the dominatrix scene. It was also revealed that we wore a toupee. Shocking! A few months into the trial, Albert was fired by NBC. The trial ended in Albert pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault and battery charges and serving a twelve-month suspended sentence.
Well, He Didn’t Get a Second Act Did He?
Sure, he did. NBC hired Albert back less than two years later. Why? Because Albert was really, REALLY good at calling basketball games. Albert also regularly appears on David Letterman’s show, which, if anyone can be understanding of a sex scandal it is, without a doubt, David Letterman. And perhaps the clearest sign that Albert recovered from his scandal? A Shouts & Murmurs column in the New Yorker by Jesse Eisenberg, titled “Marv Albert Is my Therapist.” You know you’ve been reaccepted by the collective bosom of New York City when you’re in a NY’er Shouts & Murmurs column. (see: Woody Allen)
