A WJAR television reporter whose recent two-part series called into question the effectiveness of Rhode Island tourism centers — and set off a storm of controversy — is leaving Channel 10 as of tomorrow, the station’s general manager confirmed yesterday.

Station general manager Lisa Churchville would not say whether the departure of Leslie Yeransian was related to her report, which resulted in the station issuing an on-air apology and its ombudsman criticizing the reporting.

“We wish her well,” said Churchville.

Yeransian could not be reached for comment. The station said they did not have a forwarding number for her.

Paul M. Giacobbe, the station’s ombudsman, investigated the reporting of the story after the station received complaints.

Giacobbe said in his report that Yeransian’s story unfairly suggested that local restaurants (Federal Hill was specifically mentioned) cannot rely on the Rhode Island Tourism Division for support and that representatives of the tourism division’s 800 number could not answer basic questions. The story said that the tourism help line was located in Missouri, and that many of the call-takers there had never been in Rhode Island.

The story also said that when the reporter called a local 800 number — the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council — and asked where someone could find a good Italian meal, the call center representative there recommended the Olive Garden in South Attleboro and Vinny T’s, also in Massachusetts.

Then when the council representative was asked where he would go for Italian food in Rhode Island, he replied, with a slight chuckle, “I like Olive Garden.” In that same context he then mentioned Vinny T’s, but quickly added that it was in Massachusetts.

Giacobbe found that the tourism council representative did initially guide the caller to Federal Hill, contrary to what was reported. Giacobbe also found that the tourism council representative did not recommend the Olive Garden in Massachusetts or Vinny T’s in Massachusetts, contrary to what Yeransian reported.

Because the story was inaccurate, Giacobbe said, the station properly issued a correction and an apology.

Before recently joining the Channel 10 news team, Yeransian had worked as a field reporter for ABC affiliates in Palm Springs, Calif., and El Paso, Texas, as well as bureaus in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, according to Channel 10’s Web site. She also was an online reporter in New York City for ABCNews.com.

tmooney@projo.com