L.A. Times lets go of staffers

Chuck Philips among those leaving

By CYNTHIA LITTLETON

The sheer length of "the list," as it was widely referred to on the Web Tuesday, underscored the magnitude in human toll of the cost-slashing campaign under way at the Los Angeles Times.

The names of L.A. Times staffers taking buyouts or getting pinkslips began to circulate in journo circles on Monday night, fueled by postings on numerous media-centric websites. Among the scribes involved in the paper's showbiz coverage who are exiting the building is longtime investigative reporter Chuck Philips.

Philips won a Pulitzer for the L.A. Times in 1999 for his coverage of corruption in the entertainment biz, but he took a hit in March when the paper had to run a lengthy retraction on his story involving music mogul Sean Combs and the late rap star Tupac Shakur.

Longtime music writer Richard Cromelin is leaving as well, as is former TV critic and film reporter Paul Brownfield. Other Calendar page regulars exiting include classical music writer Chris Pasles, arts writer Lynne Heffley, music editor-writer Kevin Bronson and Gotham-based reporter Paul Lieberman.

Steve Harvey, who penned the Times' long-running "Only in L.A." compendium of local oddities for the California section, is leaving, as is veteran sports writer Larry Stewart.