Tribune accepts Abrams' resignation

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CHICAGO, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- The Tribune Co. said it accepted the resignation of Chief Innovation Officer Lee Abrams after suspending him for sending sexually graphic e-mail to employees.

Chief Executive Officer Randy Michaels called the e-mail "in extremely bad taste," The Chicago Tribune reported Saturday. It was "the kind of serious mistake that can't be tolerated," he said.

Abrams had earlier apologized for the e-mail that turned out to be the last of a weekly series of in-house memos Abrams routinely sent "in hopes of inspiring them (employees) to reconsider print and broadcast convention," the Tribune said.

In his apology, Abrams said it was meant as an example of what not to do.

The controversy was made all the more embarrassing by a recent New York Times article that appeared before the e-mail was sent that described the culture at the company as similar to a "frat house."

Abrams was suspended without pay last week, before handing in his resignation.