Walmart is no longer working with Mercury Public Affairs, the PR firm whose employee posed as a reporter to spy on a closed press conference held by a group that opposes a Walmart store in L.A.’s Chinatown, reports The Los Angeles Times.

According to The L.A. Times:

“Walmart spokesman Steven Restivo said in a statement that his company and Mercury Public Affairs had decided mutually to end their ‘business relationship.’ Mercury had received $60,000 to lobby officials at Los Angeles City Hall over a proposed Walmart grocery in Chinatown, according to city records.

“‘We take this matter seriously and have taken the appropriate steps to ensure this type of activity is not repeated,’ Restivo said.

Read more at The L.A. Times.

The employee in question, Stephanie Harnett, was fired from Mercury because of the incident. Mercury has said that Harnett, who the company dubbed a junior member of the team (her LinkedIn page said she was a senior associate), acted alone and not on the orders of Walmart or the PR firm.

However, no one has heard Harnett’s side of the story. The Huffington Post managed to contact her, but she offered them a no comment.

Stephanie, if you’re reading this (or if someone who knows Stephanie is reading this), please email me here. PR Daily would love to print your side of the story.

(via PRNewser)

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