The paper forced him out shortly after that.
I guess that tells the story of the level of sleazeball he is...
from what I've read, he's up against it, financially - having a hard time getting printed...
He's not just a sleazeball, he's a desperate sleazeball.
That means he'll be doubly apt to fabricate. He's already compromised any integrity and has put himself in a box to deliver the goods to Random House...especially if they are footing the bill.
They both deserve to fail colossally.