A suspended local news anchor in Houston will return to the airwaves after an investigation into receiving free World Cup tickets.
Daniella Guzman of KPRC-TV in Houston received three free World Cup tickets to attend the match between Democratic Republic of the Congo and Portugal on June 17 at NRG Stadium. Guzman posted a reel of herself in a luxury suite and was one of many who received the tickets from Harris County.
Guzman’s station suspended her following her use of the free tickets and how it could present a conflict of interest in receiving gifts from county officials.
However, after an internal investigation, KRPC announced that Guzman would return to the airwaves after being satisfied that the tickets were not connected to her journalism coverage. KPRC General Manager Sean McLaughlin confirmed her return and that she recognized the perception of a conflict.
“Daniella was placed on leave while the company conducted an internal review regarding tickets she received for a concert and FIFA World Cup matches. While there was no conclusion that the tickets influenced or were connected to her journalism or news coverage, Daniella acknowledged that accepting the tickets could be perceived as a conflict of interest.”
Additionally, the station said that Guzman would make a charitable donation that equaled the cash value of the ticket that she received to put a bow on the story. Given the extraordinary price of World Cup tickets, that could end up being a sizable amount.
According to her station bio, Daniella Guzman is a four-time Emmy winning anchor who has also worked in Los Angeles and Chicago and hosts the top rated 10 p.m. newscast in the Houston market.
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