Washington Times' troubles continue: Slevin reportedly out president and publisher

It appears the Washington Times is far from out of the woods following more than a year of problems including massive staff lay-offs and (unfounded?) rumors about the right-wing paper's pending sale:

• Put away your checkbook, Washington Times is not for sale
• After decades of Rev. Moon's subsidies, Wash. Times shake-up aimed at helping paper become "financially sustainable"
• TPM: Washington Times editor-in-chief Solomon resigns
• Richard Miniter says Unification Church gives Wash. Times weekly payments "to keep complete control over the paper"
• Miniter says he attended Unification Church ceremony on understanding it was necessary for chance at Wash. Times job
• The end of the Wash. Times and Rev. Moon's right-wing charity
• So, this is what we're left with at the Washington Times

Politico's Patrick Gavin reports that Jonathan Slevin, the paper's president and publish, will be out of a job soon after just six months. Gavin writes:

I've learned that Washington Times Publisher and President Jonathan Slevin is out after just six months in the position. His contract was not renewed.

Slevin's tenure was marked with uncertainty: He took over as Executive Editor John Solomon parted ways with the paper in a very mysterious and acrimonious fashion, leaving the Times without its previously-hyped Washington Post hire. The paper also wrestled with a lawsuit from former Editorial Page Editor Richard Miniter. Large layoffs were announced in January. The sports section was axed as the paper announced a focus on national, international and cultural issues. 401k contributions were suspended. In all, Slevin's tenure was surrounded by one single question: Would the Washington Times survive?

In an update to Gavin's post, a Times spokesman denied reports of Slevin's impending departure though Gavin updated his post further in the afternoon noting:

Sources reconfirm Slevin's contract not being renewed. "He's out," says an editor. Multiple calls to Don Meyer have gone unreturned.

Remember, the Times has reportedly never turned a profit with the Rev. Sun Myung Moon (who claims to be the returned son of god) instead bankrolling the paper's bottom line for years at a cost estimated at well over $1 billion.

Talk about free-market conservatism!