Jawdropping journalistic judgment out of Englewood Cliffs yesterday: CNBC’s “Honey Honey” scandalmonger Maria Bartiromo nabbed an “exclusive” interview with Citigroup chairman Sandy Weill.

You’ll recall Bartiromo’s, uh, sordid recent history with the company.

A pair of TVNewser readers agree: “Have they lost all ethical thought and reason in Englewood Cliffs? I sat there with a stunned look on my face the whole time the interview was going on.” … “Just the hint of scandal makes the interview stupid from a P.R. point of view. Why risk credibility with viewers by giving the interview to Bartiromo?”

Yeah, why not give the interview to newly-annointed “money honey” Becky Quick?

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The votes are in, and it appears Maria Bartiromo‘s “Money Honey” fears weren’t so irrational after all. Ladies and gentleman, your new “money honey”: Squawk Box co-anchor Becky Quick.

Some fun facts about Ms. Quick — she’s 34, a Wall Street Journal vet and Rutgers University grad (class of ’93, Poli-Sci major). Quick was even editor-in-chief of the Daily Targum, Rutgers’ student newspaper. She joined CNBC in 2001. She even has a fan site maintained by “fans of Becky Quick, and most of us have never even met her.”

But Quick wasn’t the only “money honey” candidate to garner praise. Some anonymous commentary:

• Sue Herrera: Dark smoldering eyes of a woman who knows how to watch her money!

Read more

Who do you think is CNBC’s hottest “money honey”? Apparently not Maria Bartiromo, whose $50,000 flight on a Citigroup jet may have sent her “hottie” stock dropping. Bartiromo is currently in third behind up-and-comers Erin Burnett and the surging Becky Quick.

But fear not, Bartiromo fans — there’s still time to vote:

Polls close Sunday.

EARLIER:

Clockwise from top: Bartiromo, Erin Burnett, Sue Herrera, Liz Claman, Becky Quick

If you’ve been following the CNBC/Maria Bartiromo/Citicorp/”Money Money” trademark story — and really, who isn’t — you’ve heard the rumor that Bartiromo’s recent trademark of the term is related to her jealousy of the newer “money honies” at the network (see: Erin Burnett). But does she really have anything to worry about? Is there really a “Maria 2.0″?

(Juvenile, yes, but you know you wanna vote.)

So why did Maria Bartiromo trademark “money honey”?

Insider speculation via TVNewser:

“In the past six months, three things have developed that have made Maria very insecure.” And they are Sue Herera, Liz Claman and Erin Burnett. “Sue has the highest ratings of Business Day and does just as many public appearances as Maria but without the conflict. Liz has tied those top ratings, and landed a major interview with Warren Buffett (trumping Maria who had been trying to get him for quite some time). And Erin was basically dubbed the ‘New Money Honey’ by Newsweek in a recent article. In the meantime, Maria’s ratings are weak and have been for 3 years now, and she’s old news. Add the recent subterfuge she tried to pull off regarding the Citigroup flight, and she knows she’s in trouble. Enter ‘Money Honey’ coloring books.”

EARLIER:

‘Money Honey’: The Coloring Book?

An oddly-timed wrinkle in the undulating Citigroup-Maria Bartiromo controversy. TVNewser reports that the CNBC beauty had her nickname “money honey” trademarked on January 16.

So, what’s covered in her trademark?

Children’s educational and activity books, storybooks and workbooks, coloring books, comic books, diaries, calendars, bookmarks, posters, trading cards, book covers, decalcomania, stickers; stationery, memo pads, greeting cards, notebooks, notepads, ring binders, folders, pen and pencil cases, rulers, pencils, pens, pencil sharpeners, markers, rubber stamps, children’s paper placemats, lunch bags, gift wrapping paper, crayons, decorations for pencils, extensions and attachments for pencils, erasers, desktop organizers, coin albums, coupon books, and flash cards

EARLIER:

A helpful recap of the burgeoning “Money Honey” scandal, via TVNewser:

The New York Times Tuesday: Citigroup global wealth management head Todd Thomson is ousted over concerns about Thomson’s “use of Citigroup corporate jets, including at least one occasion when he used the jet to ferry Maria Bartiromo, a correspondent for CNBC, to an event in Asia.”

Via the Post: The flight cost Citigroup $50,000: “A CNBC spokesman said that Bartiromo only paid ‘prevailing commercial rates’ for her seat, approximately $3,000 to $4,000… Bartiromo sought and received approval in advance before hopping the pricey flight on one of Citi’s jets, which gave her an opportunity for ‘source development.’”

Via Marketwatch today: “Now come reports that recently ousted wealth management chief Todd Thomson was providing air transportation, and perhaps something more, to CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo. Thomson appears to have created a money honey division inside the company — creating a TV show and, apparently, a travel agency.”

So, did Bartiromo commit an ethics violation?

Experts said one could argue that the plane ride gave Bartiromo access to a powerful figure at Citigroup, much the way White House reporters may have access to the U.S. president by flying on Air Force One.

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• Exec’s Jet Ride: With CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo cost him $50,000. [NYP]
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