The New York Times' top editors quit

NEW YORK, June 5 (UPI) -- The New York Times' two top editors, Howell Raines and Gerald Boyd, resigned Thursday following a series of embarrassments at the newspaper that stemmed from fabrications by one of its reporters, the newspaper announced.

Joseph Lelyveld, The Times' former executive editor, will assume Raines' executive editor position in an interim capacity; no replacement was named for Boyd, the paper's managing editor.

"Howell and Gerald have tendered their resignations, and I have accepted them with sadness based on what we believe is best for The Times," said Arthur Sulzberger Jr., publisher of The Times and chairman of The New York Times Co. "They have made enormous contributions during their tenure."

Under Raines, who as executive editor oversaw the newspaper's coverage of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, The Times won a record seven Pulitzer Prizes in 2002 for that coverage.

Lelyveld, Raines' interim replacement, retired in 2001, after serving in that position for seven years. During his tenure, the newspaper won 12 Pulitzers.

The newspaper has been mired in a series of embarrassments that followed revelations that its reporter Jayson Blair had fabricated much of his work. Critics within The Times said Blair was given plum assignments, including coverage of the Washington area sniper case, despite complaints from his immediate superiors about his work.

Thursday's announcement did not mention the Blair episode, however.

Raines, 60, joined the newspaper in 1978. He served in various capacities, including as editorial page editor and as Washington bureau chief. He was made executive editor in 2001.

Boyd, 52, joined the paper in 1983. He served in various capacities before being named managing editor in 2001.

The New York Times Co. is one of the world's leading media group and runs The Times, the Boston Globe, the International Herald Tribune and several radio and television stations.