Award-winning Fox affiliate reporter charged with sexually assaulting an underage girl

Award-winning Fox affiliate reporter charged with sexually assaulting an underage girl

2010-10-09 01:55:38 GMT+7 (ICT)

WYCKOFF, NEW JERSEY (BNO NEWS) – A Fox 5 television reporter and two-time Emmy award winning journalist on Friday was charged with sexually abusing a 4-year-old girl at his Wyckoff home in Bergen County, New Jersey, the station reported.

Charles Leaf, 41, was charged with one count of first degree aggravated sexual assault, one count of second degree sexual assault and one count of second degree endangering the welfare of a child. He will be arraigned on November 4.

Leaf was arrested on Thursday at his Wyckoff residence following an investigation by the Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit. According to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, the 4-year-old victim is an acquaintance of the Fox news reporter.

A Fox News spokesperson said that Fox 5 management is aware of the situation regarding its star reporter and is reviewing the matter. Leaf is married and has two children.

Leaf joined Fox 5 News in July 2006. He has covered major local and national stories including national exclusives on the Bernard Madoff scandal and the proposed development of a mosque near the World Trade Center site.

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