Over the holiday it was reported that Michael Schroeder, the publisher of the New Britain Herald and the Bristol Press, has reached an agreement to purchase the Block Island Times.
Schroeder has been at the center of journalism controversy over the past several weeks after being linked to the “secret purchase” of Nevada’s largest newspaper by casino owner Sheldon Adelson. Scrutiny of the Adelson deal led to reports indicating Schroeder may have used his Connecticut properties to place stories beneficial to Adelson. According to the Hartford Courant, at least one article in question was published under a nom de plume and appeared to include large passages taken directly from other publications.
Last week the editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal resigned; as did Steve Majerus-Collins of the Bristol Press, both citing ethics issues with Adelson and Schroeder.
A letter from the current publishers of the Block Island Times to readers makes no mention of the current controversy surrounding Schroeder.
