Business

MCLEAN JUMPS TO VF

Bethany McLean, co-author of a best-selling book about the Enron debacle, is leaving Fortune after a 13-year run to jump to Graydon Carter’s Vanity Fair.

McLean co-authored “The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron” with Fortune investigative reporter Peter Elkind.

It marks at least the third time that Condé Nast, which is headed by billionaire chairman S.I. Newhouse, Jr., has come calling on McLean, one of the higher-profile journalists at the Time Inc.-owned business magazine.

Portfolio had tried to get her to jump ship a year ago when Condé Nast was launching its business magazine, but Time Inc. editor-in-chief John Huey intervened to help Fortune win that tug of war.

Calls to McLean were not returned by presstime, but Fortune managing editor Andy Serwer said she has given notice. “We’re sorry to see her go.”

“I think I’m going to give her a party at the Waverly Inn – and see who picks up the check,” he joked, referring to Carter’s Greenwich Village pub.

Upon hearing that, Carter said that “I’ll split the tab with him and I’ll work the bar.” Carter said McLean would not be starting at Vanity Fair until late June – until after her wedding.