Earlier today, when reporting on Invisible Children co-founder and viral video star Jason Russell's arrest for allegedly masturbating in public near Sea World in San Diego, we used an AP photo of Russell with actor Ben McKenzie of The O.C. and Southland. This worried his publicist, so we'd like to offer a clarification: Ben McKenzie was not involved with this particular Sea World masturbation incident, in any way, shape or form.

McKenzie's publicist was, as she is required to be, concerned about the large photo of her client with (her words) "the gentleman who got in trouble today," and wanted to let us know that Russell and McKenzie are not friends, and that the photo is from an event thrown by the actor at which the alleged masturbator was a guest. Given that we're big fans — seriously, Southland is the best cop show on TV right now — we're more than happy to clarify that Ben McKenzie was not, and to the best of our knowledge has never been, arrested for masturbating near Sea World, and has only met Jason Russell once.

We've also removed the photo and replaced it with a photo of Russell and Scary Spice.

Below, the email we received.

From: Kelsey Clark
Date: Fri, Mar 16, 2012 at 6:02 PM
Subject: Ben McKenzie Photo
To: A.J. Daulerio
Cc: Katie Ringer

Hi A.J.,

I work with Jennifer Allen, Ben McKenzie's publicist – is there a number she can call you at to discuss a photo of Ben McKenzie on your site?

Please let me know.

Thanks,

Kelsey Clark