The two top editors of "The New York Times" have resigned, amid a reporting scandal that rocked what is perhaps the world's most influential newspaper.
The resignations of Executive Editor Howell Raines and Managing Editor Gerald Boyd followed revelations that a reporter fabricated elements of key stories, including a front page dispatch last year about the investigation of a sniper who was stalking Washington.
That reporter has since resigned, but questions continued about how his deceptions were possible.
The resignations of the two top-ranking editors were announced before dozens of reporters, editors and other staff at the newspaper's headquarters in Times Square. "Times" spokesman Toby Usnik read a statement on behalf of publisher Arthur Sulzberger.
"Howell and Gerald have tendered their resignations and I have accepted them with sadness, based on what we believe is best for The Times," he said.
A former executive editor at the paper has been appointed to fill the top job, until a new editor is named.
