Former KTVU anchor Frank Somerville has spoken out for the first time since his arrest for a suspected DUI, saying that his former employer chose not to re-sign him before his arrest.
Somerville confirmed in an interview with the Mercury News, that KTVU will not re-sign him but he suspects that it is not due to his arrest, which occurred on Dec. 30.
"I've given my heart and soul to Channel 2," Somerville told the newspaper. "I would give anything to work there. For whatever reason, they decided not to re-sign me," adding that the decision came before his alleged DUI.
In May, the former Bay Area news anchor took a leave of absence after a segment on "The Ten O'clock News on KTVU" where he slurred lines and then left the set mid-broadcast. Sommerville was off the air for nine weeks to focus on his health.
After briefly returning in August, he was suspended indefinitely following a dispute with KTVU management over coverage of the Gabby Petito case.
Oakland police plan to hand the DUI case over to Alameda County prosecutors once Somerville’s blood test results are in. He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 28 where Alameda County prosecutors will decide whether to file charges.
KCBS Radio has reached out to KTVU for comment but has not yet heard back.
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