AP Crime Reporter Fired Over Credibility
The Associated Press has fired long-time reporter Christopher Newton for allegedly inventing sources, including those in a recent article on crime statistics.
"Chris Newton maintains these experts are real and accurately quoted, but our editors have been unable to verify that they even exist," said AP spokeswoman Kelly Smith Tunney."
Tunney said "15 questionable quotes have been found among hundreds of articles written by Newton and that AP is still reviewing his work. She added the news agency has discovered no instance where the questionable material was central to the story."
Newton has been writing for the AP since 1994. He had been based at the Justice Department, covering federal law-enforcement issues and activities since June, 2002.
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