The problem with faking sex assault claims

By Emily Peck

Trust But Verify

It’s hoaxes all the way down in what appears to be an effort to discredit special counsel Robert Mueller with fabricated claims of sexual misconduct.

Several media outlets, including HuffPost, received emails earlier this month from a woman claiming she was offered money to spread fake accusations about Mueller. In her email to me, this woman conceded that she did need money, but wanted nothing to do with such an horrendous escapade.

But it gets weirder -- HuffPost, the New York Times and other media outlets could find no evidence that this woman even exists.

Instead the email appears to be part of a bonkers plot to discredit Mueller, capitalizing on the current MeToo climate -- when powerful men are increasingly vulnerable to accusations of sexual harassment and assault. There were other pieces to the plan. You can read my story with HuffPost reporter Ryan Reilly to learn more.

TLDR? The plan failed, underscoring something pretty basic that maybe these conservative conspiracy theorists don't get: Journalists verify these accusations. We believe women, but we also check out their stories and make sure they're true.

You can follow me on Twitter @EmilyRPeck