In advance of the LA Weekly's Thursday publication, columnist Nikki Finke has posted a web-only scoop reporting that the L.A. Times and New York Times are investigating Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter for allegedly benefitting financially from his Hollywood ties. Finke says the LAT reporting team is being led by business writer-editor Michael Cieply. A VF spokeswoman confirms for Finke that the LAT is looking into something but said the NYT effort was new to her.

* And: Finke updates Wednesday to add that the Wall Street Journal is now chasing the story.