Courtesy Boston Herald

(July 9, 2010) Ex-Channel 7 sports reporter Julie Donaldson, who left the Hub after a brutal domestic violence case revealed her hard-partying side and sexual exploits, has returned to TV and is “happy” to be back at work.

The former Miss Florida USA is freelancing for Comcast SportsNet’s Mid-Atlantic network, filling in for Jill Sorenson while she’s out on maternity leave.

In a statement to MediaBiz yesterday, Donaldson said she’s “happy to be back at work and is looking toward the future.” She declined further comment.

Donaldson has been working for the regional network for the past several weeks covering sports in the Washington, D.C., area.

“She’s working for us on a freelance basis,” Comcast SportsNet spokesman Tim Fitzpatrick told MediaBiz yesterday. “We haven’t discussed any role beyond the current freelancing agreement.”

Currently, there are no plans for Donaldson to appear on Comcast SportsNet New England.

Donaldson’s agent, Steve Herz, said she’s doing great. “She’s got a great attitude and she’s very positive,” Herz said. “We’re excited for her future.”

Herz said they’re hoping the freelance work “could develop into something more.”

Before moving to Boston to take a sports reporter job at WHDH-TV in February 2008, Donaldson worked at SportsNet New York, which is owned by Comcast.

“We were familiar with her work through her capacity at SNY,” Fitzpatrick said.

This is Donaldson’s first on-air gig since she resigned from Channel 7 in late 2008 for “personal reasons.”

The blonde beauty wound up testifying in court that summer after her beau at the time, professional slamball player Ivan Latimore, violently attacked her after a marathon night of drinking and partying in Boston.

Latimore was charged with assaulting Donaldson - who suffered broken facial bones - and three other women the couple had met at the Saint nightclub and brought back to Donaldson’s Back Bay digs.

Latimore - who claimed to have sex videos of him and Donaldson - was sentenced to a year in jail. He got another year behind bars for sending letters to Donaldson from the clink.

Earlier this year, Latimore was set free. He’s currently living in New York.

Never one to shy away from alliteration or rhyming, Channel 7’s latest use of wordplay may give viewers some pause. WHDH-TV is airing a spot touting the station’s new iPod application, telling viewers to be sure to “tap that app.”

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