Sports Journalist Ran Prostitution Ring Following A Pay Cut At The Union Leader

What would force a sports journalist to run a a prostitution ring on the side?

Money, of course.

Kevin Provencher of Manchester, N.H., claimed he started the “side business” of running a prostitution operation because of a pay cut at his job. On Friday, was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison and fined $5,000 in a Massachusetts court.

According to prosecutor Melissa Woodward, Provencher recruited women into prostitution and setup meetings with men in hotel rooms. The 52-year-old demanded half of their earnings along with the cost of the hotel room.

Prior to his arrest in July 2009, Provencher worked 23 years for the Union Leader.

He’s a four-time winner of the New Hampshire Sportswriter of the Year award from the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.