KPRC-TV has suspended popular anchor Daniella Guzman pending an investigation into allegations that she accepted free tickets to a World Cup match and a Bruno Mars concert. The station stated that it takes matters of potential conflicts of interest "very seriously."
Guzman, a four-time Emmy Award winner, was reportedly given three complimentary tickets to a World Cup game between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 17, and four tickets to a Bruno Mars concert approximately two months earlier. The allegations were initially reported by The Texas Voice.
Guzman had posted videos on social media of herself enjoying the World Cup match from a luxury suite at NRG Stadium with her parents. She described the experience as a "dream come true" and praised the stadium's amenities. The "get-in" price for the match was nearly $1,300, according to the Houston Chronicle. The median price for the Bruno Mars concert was $979, according to TicketNews.
The luxury suite where Guzman was seated is maintained by the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation, which owns and operates NRG Park. Records indicate that various Democratic officials from the Houston area, as well as one Republican, have previously been hosted in the suite. Among those listed as beneficiaries of free tickets from the corporation were Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Lesley Briones.
Guzman, who anchors KPRC 2 News at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m., has been recognized for her journalistic achievements, including Emmy awards for her work in Los Angeles and Chicago. In 2023, she was named among the top 30 most influential women in Texas. She is also a mother of two.
Sean McLaughlin, general manager of KPRC-TV, confirmed that the station opened an investigation, stating, "Our station takes journalistic ethics very seriously along with anything that could potentially create even the appearance of a conflict of interest."