NBC ‘Nightly News’ anchor Tom Llamas was arrested – Business News
Newly minted NBC “Nightly News” anchor Tom Llamas was one of practically a dozen Loyola fraternity brothers arrested in 2001 after a violent break-in at a rival frat home that left one scholar bloodied and his girlfriend shoved to the ground, based on a report.
Llamas, who was hailed because the new face of NBC News when he slid into Lester Holt’s chair this previous summer time, was by no means charged in connection to the incident.
“As an undergraduate at Loyola University nearly 25 years ago, Tom was one of 11 students indiscriminately arrested following a fight and alleged break-in at another fraternity,” an NBC News spokesperson advised The Post.
“Tom, as well as most of those students, was not involved in the incident. Following extensive reviews by both the university and local authorities, Tom and those not involved were never accused of any wrongdoing or found to have violated any laws or school rules. The incident was widely reported by the local press at the time. Tom graduated from Loyola in 2001 and remains a loyal supporter of the school.”
Tom Llamas, the NBC “Nightly News” anchor, was arrested during his fraternity days in faculty in 2001, based on a report. Los Angeles Times through Getty Images
But victims and their allies nonetheless fumed to the Guardian that the then–Sigma Phi Epsilon president by no means condemned the invasion, by no means expressed sympathy — and as an alternative brushed it off as faculty rivalry.
“Something terrible happened to [someone who was just] home … and nobody was like, ‘Hey, that must have been awful for you,’” one particular person close to the victims advised the Guardian.
The break-in, fueled by a bar combat, shattered more than furnishings. It left scars that victims say have been compounded by the shortage of accountability — particularly now that one of the boys arrested exterior the scene anchors the nation’s most-watched night newscast.
The assault unfolded within the early hours of Feb. 22, 2001. According to police and press experiences on the time, a mob of Sigma Phi Epsilon members stormed the Beggars fraternity’s three-story home throughout from Loyola’s campus.
The mob busted by way of the door and a big entrance window, leaving the home wrecked — 4 home windows shattered, a 16-foot desk splintered, and chairs in items.
Inside, just one Beggars member was home — learning for a medical college examination whereas his girlfriend watched TV. The intruders pummeled him, leaving two black eyes and facial swelling. His girlfriend was shoved to the ground.
Llamas, who was hailed because the new face of NBC News when he slid into Lester Holt’s chair this previous summer time, was by no means charged in connection to the incident. WireImage
Damage was estimated at $4,000, based on the Guardian.
New Orleans police first brushed it off as dumb frat antics — till they noticed the wreckage. A high commander later admitted that it regarded like a textbook felony break-in, based on the Guardian.
But as soon as officers surveyed the scene, he mentioned, they realized it was “planned, methodical … the definition of felony aggravated burglary.”
Investigators arrested 11 Sigma Phi Epsilon members, together with Llamas, then a senior communications and drama main.
But the case unraveled rapidly. Prosecutors dismissed most prices within two months, citing “testimony insufficient.”
Llamas’s case was among the many first thrown out. Several different fraternity brothers had prices diminished to misdemeanors. Just a few paid restitution or settled civil lawsuits.
According to police and press experiences on the time, a mob of Sigma Phi Epsilon members stormed the Beggars fraternity’s three-story home throughout from Loyola’s campus in New Orleans. Google
Two of Llamas’s fraternity brothers, Eric Rust and Timothy Fanguy, insist the long run anchor by no means went inside.
“From what I know, Tommy did the same thing as I did: showed up but didn’t come inside,” Rust advised the Guardian.
“He was standing outside when all of this went down,” Fanguy mentioned.
But handwritten notes from then–police officer Catherine Beckett muddy the image. Taken during an interview with the feminine sufferer, the notes determine “Tommy” as “one of the perp ΣE.” The solely “Tommy” arrested was Llamas.
The sufferer, nevertheless, later mentioned trauma blurred her reminiscence. Even many years later, a ringing doorbell nonetheless triggers panic, somebody close to her advised Guardian.
Llamas graduated from Loyola University after learning communications and drama. Universal Images Group through Getty Images
The break-in capped years of unhealthy blood between the 2 fraternities. Both sides accused the opposite of instigating fights. On the evening in query, a bar scuffle “over a girl” spilled into the early morning raid.
Llamas was cleared in Loyola’s own disciplinary proceedings. The SigEp chapter was briefly suspended, whereas the Beggars have been slapped with probation.
At the time, Llamas struck a victorious tone. “We are extremely happy with the outcome,” he advised Loyola’s scholar newspaper in a story that was cited by the Guardian.
In June, Llamas gushed on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” that Loyola was “one of the best communications schools in the country.” The college eagerly blasted the clip on social media.
NBC, requested about his position within the 2001 arrests, issued a assertion to the Guardian saying Llamas was “indiscriminately arrested” and by no means accused of wrongdoing.
“Following extensive reviews by both the university and local authorities, Tom and those not involved were never accused of any wrongdoing or found to have violated any laws or school rules,” the community mentioned.
But Loyola alumni who sided with the victims call that revisionist historical past.
“No one has ever said sorry – at least not in public,” one particular person advised Guardian. “And, as far as I am aware, they have not done that privately, either.”
For Llamas, the incident stays a 25-year-old stain on an in any other case glittering profession.
The Miami native, son of Cuban immigrants, climbed from native information to the national stage, incomes awards earlier than changing Holt in June. He is the primary Latino to anchor a weekday community night broadcast in English.
“My parents came here with nothing … and now I’m going to anchor Nightly News,” Llamas mentioned on NBC’s “Today.” “That is the American Dream.”
The Post has sought remark from NBC and Llamas.
