The Mirror

Mike Elk Speaks Out About Why He’s Been MIA From Politico’s Newsroom

Betsy Rothstein Gossip blogger
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Politico senior labor reporter Mike Elk spoke out today about why he’s been missing from the Rosslyn newsroom for about a month. Presumably to dispel the idea that his absence coincided with his announcement to unionize Politico, here’s what he had to say:

“I haven’t been in the office recently because I have been dealing with some medical issues related to Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder. POLITICO has been very accommodating to me and my need for treatment. I am doing well – thanks for the many well wishes that I have received from people.”

As The Daily Caller reported on Friday, people close to Elk are well aware of his PTSD issues that relate to a source committing suicide while he was at his last reporting job at In These Times. [RELATED: Has Anybody Seen Politico’s Activist Labor Reporter Mike Elk?]

Lefty Firedoglake published a story largely based on The Daily Caller‘s story Wednesday. They pressed Politico management to answer the question about whether Elk is being sidelined for trying to unionize the newsroom.

Sources inside Politico told The Mirror that Elk’s absence was the result of pneumonia.

Management did not return requests for comment on Elk on Friday.

Asked whether Politico asked him to release the above statement, Elk declined to comment on it any further.