Davan Maharaj was being recruited hard by the New York Times, according to reliable newsroom gossip. Instead, he will stay at the L.A. Times as the top editor in the Business section. He had been a deputy. Memo follows from editor Jim O'Shea:

From: OShea, James
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 11:35 AM
To: yyeditall
Subject: DAVAN MAHARAJ

To the staff:

I am pleased to announce the promotion of Davan Maharaj to business editor of the Los Angeles Times. A respected and highly accomplished journalist, Davan brings a distinguished career and strong leadership to the job. In his 17 years at The Times, Davan has covered Orange County, been a foreign correspondent, a reporter in business, assistant foreign editor and deputy business editor. He has won numerous journalism awards, including the Ernie Pyle award for International Reporting in 2005. Davan is an energetic, creative and smart journalist who will put his stamp of excellence on The Times business coverage. His appointment takes effect immediately. I am sure everyone joins me in congratulating Davan and his family on his new job and challenge. This is a promotion that is richly deserved. I know he will do a great job.

JIM