Tuesday 15 November 2022 06:41 AM NBC SUSPENDS correspondent after network was forced to retract exclusive report ... trends now
Miguel Almaguer, a correspondent with NBC's Today show has been suspended while an internal investigation is conducted at the network after the broadcaster was forced to retract its reporting that only served to fan conspiracy theories about the attack on Paul Pelosi.
Almaguer, 45, who has worked for NBC since 2009, compiled a report that suggested Nancy Pelosi's husband was not in any danger when police arrived at the couple's San Francisco home.
It stated, using information from an anonymous source, that Pelosi had told San Francisco police there was no indication he was in any danger and did not declare and emergency when he answered the door.
Miguel Almaguer, 45, a correspondent with NBC's Today show has been suspended after he reported inaccurate information on Paul Pelosi's attack
Almaguer compiled a report suggesting Nancy Pelosi's husband was not in any danger when police arrived at the couple's San Francisco home
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul
'After a 'knock and announce,' the front door was opened by Mr. Pelosi. The 82-year-old did not immediately declare an emergency or tried to leave his home but instead began walking several feet back into the foyer toward the assailant and away from police. It's unclear if the 82-year-old was already injured or what his mental state was, say sources,' the Almaguer's voiceover detailed, together with accompanying graphics.
The report, which aired November 4, was later found to be inaccurate as it completely contradicted claims made by both prosecutors and police.
The police's narrative of the incident told how Pelosi was struggling with the intruder, David DePape, when they arrived at his home. Pelosi was left with a cracked skull.
Hours later, NBC News removed the video report from their website, stating it 'did not meet NBC News reporting standards'.
Nevertheless, following the report's airing, prominent right-wing media personalities including Fox News' Tucker Carlson raised speculation and pushed false conspiracy theories about the assault suggesting the retraction was proof of a cover-up.
'We don't comment on personnel matters,' NBC News spokesman Stephen Labaton the Daily Beast when asked about Almaguer's suspension.
A federal grand jury indicted David DePape, 42, last week on charges of assault and attempted kidnapping for allegedly breaking into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco mansion
Last week a federal grand jury indicted David DePape, 42, on charges of assault and attempted kidnapping in connection with the break in at the Pelosi residence on October 28.
Speculation has mounted in recent weeks about the attack as many questions went unanswered. But the recent indictment provides fresh information about the fateful night and DePape's apparent motivations.
He was said to have woken Paul Pelosi up early that morning and allegedly told police how he wanted to restrain the man so he could take a nap while he waited for the House Speaker to return home.
But just moments after cops arrived on the scene, the indictment says, DePape struck the Pelosi in the head with a hammer swinging it at 'full force.'
The entire incident was recorded on police body camera footage, according to the indictment.
DePape was arrested that night, and is being held without bail at the San Francisco County Jail.
DePape is being held without bail at the San Francisco County Jail. He faces up to 50 years in prison for the federal assault and kidnapping charges
Authorities say that following his arrest, they found a roll of tape, white rope, a hammer, and a pair of rubber and cloth gloves at the scene.
They also discovered he had researched the Pelosi's $8million four-bedroom home just two days before the alleged attack.
He reportedly also told FBI investigators afterwards that he would 'kneecap' the House Speaker in an effort to show Congressmembers that there are consequences to their actions as he sought to lure another unidentified politician to him.
The Canadian citizen is now facing up to 50 years in prison.
According to the indictment, filed in the US District Court in the Northern District of California on Wednesday, San Francisco police received a call from Paul Pelosi at around 2.23am on October 28.
He then proceeded to tell officers how a man broke into his home looking for his wife, the House Speaker, saying he would wait for her to return to the San Francisco mansion.
By the time officers arrived on the scene, the indictment says, DePape was gripping a hammer as Paul Pelosi apparently tried to fight him off
During the two-minute phone call, the indictment says, Pelosi made clear he did not know the man, even as DePape could be heard in the background saying his name is 'David' and he is a 'friend.'
Towards the end of the call — after a dispatcher agreed to stay on the line with Paul — he told police that the man wanted him to 'get the hell off the phone.'
By the time police arrived on the scene moments later, they saw DePape — wearing shorts, running shoes and a sweatshirt — and Paul 'jointly gripping a hammer.'
When a police officer
