No Halo News · Sourced development
Spokesman-Review union says Comma plans to retain suspended editor after an internal review reportedly found no harassment or discrimination
InvestigateWest and RANGE reported that the newsroom union was told suspended executive editor and Comma founder Rob Curley would oversee philanthropic work and retain a board seat after The Spokesman-Review transfers to the nonprofit. Comma’s board chair disputed the union’s description but would not state Curley’s intended role. The internal investigation has not been released; the union said it was told the review found no harassment or discrimination. The union continues to object to Curley having authority over newsroom hiring or firing, while donors have requested greater transparency.
Status matters. This page records a sourced development, not a completed No Halo investigation. An allegation is not a finding. Dismissals, settlements, judgments, corrections and final outcomes remain distinct.
Donor relevance
Why this matters
The reported leadership plan affects donor confidence, editorial independence and governance immediately before a major newspaper transfers to nonprofit ownership. The reported internal-review result is favorable evidence on two categories of complaint, but the unreleased report prevents a broader exoneration claim.
Attribution
Who reported or established this
The Spokane Editorial Society described what it said Comma leadership told union members and reported the limited internal-review finding. InvestigateWest and RANGE reported the update and interviewed Comma board chair George Brunt, employees and a donor.
Evidence limits
What remains unverified
No Halo has not reviewed the internal investigation and has not established whether the workplace or journalistic-integrity allegations occurred. Curley’s exact future role, whether he accepted it, the investigation’s scope and reasoning, and Comma’s readiness to finance the newspaper remain unverified.
Right of reply
Organization response
Board chair George Brunt disputed the union’s description of Curley’s role but did not provide a different description. He said Comma was confident in its finances and stewardship. Comma also added website language stating that editorial independence is central to its mission and that it does not condone interference with news coverage. Curley and executive director Scott de Rozic did not provide responses to the reporters.
Classification
How No Halo records this event
Event type: Governance Leadership Change. Current state: Pending. No Halo preserves the current procedural state rather than treating every mention as a finding.
Published October 20, 2026 · Last verified October 21, 2026. See an error or a later outcome? Submit a correction or right of reply.