The Portland Press Herald is reporting

O’Brien’s departure comes days after the Portland, Maine NBC affiliate’s meteorologist, Joe Cupo, went on air to refute allegations he was a client of an alleged prostitution ring in Kennebunk, Maine.

The Press Herald said the station would not comment on why O’Brien left but did back the decision to put Cupo on air,

Steve Carter, the station’s president and general manager, would not comment Tuesday on O’Brien’s departure. He would not say why or when she left the position.  “It’s a personnel matter, and it’s not something we comment on,” Carter said.  He said he supported the decision to put Joe Cupo on the air to dispel rumors that he was a client of Alexis Wright of Wells.

O’Brien has been news director at WCSH since 2008.

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WCSH meteorologist Joe Cupo is refuting a rumor that he was one of the men who paid Alexis Wright for sex at her Zumba studio in Kennebunk, Maine (video above).

Police have been releasing names of alleged clients in batches. An attorney involved in the case has claimed a TV personality is on the list; the rumors have focused on Cupo, who has worked at the Portland NBC affiliate since 1979.

“The rumor is so pervasive it is affecting his personal life, so Joe asked for a moment to refute what he finds to be a hurtful and insulting lie,” Cindy Williams said on a recent newscast. continued…

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