Melinda Phelps is a sexual harassment victim of conservative media figure Larry Shea. She received a settlement from his employers because she had tapes of the harassment, but Shea disseminated slander about Melinda to keep her from finding other work.
When Shea was murdered, Melinda became a suspect, especially once her alibi fell through. She revealed she went to a reporter to give the tapes for a story, and she was cleared of suspicion. (L&O: “Obsession”)