A former New York City newscaster who was fired from the local ABC affiliate after allegedly calling his co-host a “c***” once worked as a priest in Florida.
Ken Rosato, 56, was fired earlier this month after making rude remarks to his co-anchor Shirleen Allicot that were caught on a hot microphone.
He worked at a church in Hollywood, the Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Community, while pursuing a journalism career.
The church was founded in October 2000 by a small group of area Catholics, including Rosato, but he later moved to New York City in 2003 to take on a role as a freelance reporter.
He has yet to comment on his resignation and WABC did not respond to a request for comment.
Longtime New York City news anchor Ken Rosato, 56, (left) who was fired from the local ABC affiliate after allegedly calling his co-host a “c***,” once worked as a priest in Florida
Rosato has reportedly been fired from his position after being caught on a hot mic calling his co-anchor Shirleen Allicot, right, a ‘c***’
The Catholic Community of Saint Anthony of Padua was founded by a group of worshipers, including Rosato, because they wanted to “worship in an accepting environment that provided the Catholic tradition with valid sacraments.”
The church is not directly associated with Roman Catholicism, but said it respects the religious institution and follows similar ideals.
But it allows for divorce and birth control, which the Roman Catholic Church firmly opposes.
The mission statement reads: “Worshipers can feel free to attend our mass knowing that they will not be judged for their human frailties.”
Rosato presided as a priest until he moved to New York City in 2003 to take on a role as a freelance reporter at Eyewitness News.
He was later promoted to morning and afternoon anchor in 2007, but it is believed he worked as both at the same time.
Rosato presided over a wedding ceremony in October 2007 for fellow news reporter Tamsen Fadal and her now ex-husband Matt Titus, according to the New York Times.
It’s unclear if or when the news anchor stopped his practice as a priest, but he enjoyed a successful journalism career and worked at ABC 7 until May 12 when he was fired.
Rosato (right) worked at a Hollywood church, the Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Community, while pursuing a journalism career
Rosato reportedly made an “off-color” comment on the air and was fired “immediately with cause.”
The local news station has yet to publicly comment on his abrupt resignation earlier this month
He was initially thought to have made a racist remark, but his agent vehemently denied the claims.
“Getting fired for racist comments is 100 percent inaccurate and untrue. Ken Rosato had a 20-year credential at WABC in supporting all equality,” his spokesperson said.
An insider said Rosato was “immediately let go” and that he was “fired for a good reason,” but went no further.
His former colleagues were informed of his resignation in a series of one-on-one conversations on Friday. They didn’t hear what Rosato said.
An email was also sent to staff stating that he was ‘no longer with WABC’. We thank him for his many years of service.’
Rosato joined ABC New York in 2003 as a freelance reporter for the brand’s Eyewitness News show.
In 2007, Rosato was given an opportunity at the anchor desk and continued to host This Morning alongside Shirleen Allicot, Heather O’Rourke and Sam Champion.
Rosato’s presence has been deleted from ABC New York’s website and social media, including a profile segment done on him in September 2020.
He also hasn’t tweeted since May 2.
Rosato joined ABC New York in 2003 as a freelance reporter for the brand’s Eyewitness News show. He is pictured here speaking at the 50th anniversary of the first Pride march in 2020
In 2007, Rosato was given an opportunity at the anchor desk and continued to host This Morning alongside Shirleen Allicot, Heather O’Rourke and Sam Champion. He is pictured with Billy Porter and Lauren Glassberg in 2019
In a 2020 interview, Rosato described his rise to the anchor desk at ABC New York as the “most glorious moment” of his life.
In the profile, Rosato says his first love was opera and his dream job was to become a veterinarian. The former presenter also talks about his love of cooking in the play.
During the interview, Rosato is asked what was the most glorious moment of his life, the anchor replies by saying it was when he was asked to lead ABC New York’s news program.
‘I was a full-time freelance reporter, I got the chance to fill in Anchoring. The ratings skyrocketed. The ratings skyrocketed.
“Then I was told: ‘We are offering you a new contract. You are our new morning anchor.’ That was the moment I dreamed of for about 20 years and it came true.’
According to his LinkedIn page, Rosato previously worked for Fox New York and for CBS Miami before landing at the ABC affiliate. He graduated from NYU where he studied radio, Italian and Spanish.