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'Law & Order: SVU' boss: 'We have a responsibility' to tackle Weiner story

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" will be ripping from the headlines of New York this season, thanks to failed mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner's political scandals. On Tuesday, "SVU" showrunner Warren Leight tweeted, "And yes, SVU will be doing an episode about a NYC mayoral candidate. #LowHangingFruit," and followed that up with a little poem naming names."At 'SVU,' we have a responsibility:
Image: Warren Leight
Warren Leight hosted a private screening of the \"SVU\" sesaon 15 premiere on Thursday in New York.Today

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" will be ripping from the headlines of New York this season, thanks to failed mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner's political scandals. 

On Tuesday, "SVU" showrunner Warren Leight tweeted, "And yes, SVU will be doing an episode about a NYC mayoral candidate. #LowHangingFruit," and followed that up with a little poem naming names.

True+left+leaner+Anthony+Weiner, Lost+out+due+to+mal+demeanor Whatever+storms+he+now+weathers At+least+he+gave+us+Sydney+Leathers

—+Warren+Leight+(@warrenleightTV)+September+11,+2013+

"At 'SVU,' we have a responsibility: When politicians behave badly and then turn to the public eye and continue to behave badly, we would be remiss in our duties as writers at 'SVU' if we didn't get inspired by that," Leight told TODAY Thursday at a screening of the show's season premiere. 

Weiner resigned from Congress in 2011 after a sexting scandal, and lost the New York mayoral race on Sept. 10 after admitting he continued the sexual texts post-scandal.

Leight explained that the "SVU" spin on Weiner's antics would focus on a Hispanic mayoral candidate who will have "a long history with (ADA) Barba — Raul Esparza's character — who may have crossed a few lines."

The show boss didn't yet know who would play the role inspired by Weiner, and noted that the show is casting the episode on Sept. 13. "We just finished (polishing the script)," Leight said.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" returns Sept. 25 at 9 p.m. with a two-hour premiere on NBC.