Mayor uses alias to write freelance stories quoting himself

The Salt Lake Tribune | The Associated Press
A Utah mayor assumed a fake name, Richard Burwash, to write news stories quoting himself in the Deseret News, KSL-TV’s website and a community weekly, The Salt Lake Tribune reports. West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder explained that he felt the media was devoting too much coverage to crime and he wanted to offer some good news about his city. The ruse included four published stories over several months until he decided to out himself this week. He told the Tribune: “All of the articles submitted by Richard Burwash were 100 percent truthful, accurate, and verifiable.” Except the name, of course.