Sen. Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that he is “pursuing every legal path” against whoever circulated a forged document accusing him of harassment.
Several media outlets were shopped a document alleging Schumer wrongdoing and listing allegations by a former Schumer staff aide.
The media outlet Axios said it had contacted the former Schumer staffer, who said the charges were untrue and her signature had been forged.
Separately, the woman, who requested anonymity to maintain her privacy, reached out to The Associated Press to declare the document a fake and vouch for Schumer.
“The claims in this document are completely false, my signature is forged, and even basic facts about me are wrong,” she said in an email. “I have contacted law enforcement to determine who is responsible. I parted with Senator Schumer’s office on good terms and have nothing but the fondest memories of my time there.”
Schumer’s office has asked the Capitol Police to investigate.
“The document is a forged document and every allegation is false. We have turned it over to the Capitol Police and asked them to investigate and pursue criminal charges because it is clear the law has been broken,” said Schumer spokesman Matt House.
Schumer, D-N.Y., the Senate Democratic leader, told reporters Wednesday, “it was a phony allegation, forged” and baseless “from start to finish.”
No major media outlets produced an account, but far-right figures such as Mike Cernovich promoted the phony scandal without naming Schumer.
The false allegations came the week after Minnesota Democratic Sen. Al Franken announced he will resign after accusations. Michigan Democratic Rep. John Conyers has also resigned after several allegations of misconduct.
(AP)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
One Response
As with all “fake news”, the options under American law are limited. The politician has to prove that everyone involved knew they were lying and was deliberately spreading a falsehood. Proving that a person knew (i.e. inside their head) that they were lying is virtually impossible. If someone repeats the lie in the belief it might possibly be true, the person repeating the lie has a legal defense if sued for defamation.