In negotiating a $290 million settlement with the victims of billionaire sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, megabank JPMorgan suggested ignorance of Epstein’s activities. “We all now understand that Epstein’s behaviour was monstrous,
Publication: Crime / Police
Truth or Fiction?→ San Jose Police Union ‘Grandma’ Charged in Federal Fentanyl Shipping Probe
A top official in the police union representing officers in San Jose, California was accused by federal officials of using union resources as part of a scheme to import a synthetic “analogue” to fentanyl. According to a statement from the U
Truth or Fiction?→ How Local ABC Affiliates Spread the Same Debunked ‘Warning’ About Fentanyl
A story out of Los Angeles, California that hinged on fearmongering from law enforcement regarding “Halloween fentanyl” in October 2022 served as another example of how television news affiliates can amplify disinformation — all witho
Truth or Fiction?→ Disinformation Takes Center Stage at January 6 Committee Hearings
The role of weaponized disinformation campaigns in the January 2021 attempted coup at the United States Capitol was the main topic at the second January 6 Committee hearing about the events that culminated in a violent insurrection. The House select
Truth or Fiction?→ Los Angeles County Sheriff Announces Plans to ‘Investigate’ Journalist Over Articles
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has announced plans to target a journalist for an “investigation” over her reporting on their treatment of a man in custody. Conspiracy theory-slinging Los Angeles County sheriff Alex Villan
Truth or Fiction?→ Federal Investigation Underway After LAPD Detonates Explosive Cache in Residential Area
Federal officials have opened an investigation into the Los Angeles Police Department’s handling of a trove of allegedly illegal fireworks that led to at least 17 people — including several law enforcement officers — being injured in
Truth or Fiction?→ As U.S. Election Looms, Agitprop Floods Social Media Platforms
In the days leading up to the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the disinformation that has been a hallmark of the Trump campaign, then administration, then campaign again reached new heights with political smears, Soviet-style weaponized conspiracy t
Truth or Fiction?→ Social Media Users Reveal White Woman Calling Police on Black Man Filming Her
A white woman caught on video threatening to use a man’s ethnicity against him by calling New York City police to report “an African-American man threatening my life” has offered a public apology after her identity was swiftly expose
Truth or Fiction?→ The Kidnapping Story Being Used to Sell a Flashlight
The TC1200 flashlight might be a quality item — but the advertising around it leaves several questions unanswered. A Facebook video promoting the product in October 2019 bases its ad on the story of a law enforcement officer named John McKnight. How
Truth or Fiction?→ Breaking Down States Where a ‘Trans Panic’ Defense Is Not Illegal
A graphic posted on a transgender-oriented website’s Facebook page does, for the most part, illustrate a particular form of transphobic courtroom discrimination. The post by “TransMusePlanet,” which has been shared more than a thousa
Truth or Fiction?→ The Florida Mail Bombs Are Not ‘False Flags’
In the final days of October 2018, after a series of glass-packed pipe bombs were delivered to high-profile critics of United States President Donald Trump, rumors ran wild about who the suspect was and what he wanted. Few of these theories were organi
Truth or Fiction?→ Drivers Can Be Ticketed $250 Under Florida Cell Phone Law-Mostly Fiction!
Drivers Can Be Ticketed $250 Under Florida Cell Phone Law-Mostly Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Drivers can be ticketed $250 for distracted driving under a Florida cell phone law passed June 28, 2018. The Truth: While the Florida Legislature has been cons
Truth or Fiction?→ “FBI Corruption …. Decades in a Nutshell’ Commentary on Clinton Foundation-Misleading!
“FBI Corruption …. Decades in a Nutshell’ Commentary on Clinton Foundation-Misleading! Summary of eRumor: A commentary titled “FBI Corruption … Decades in a Nutshell” draws links between the Clinton Foundation, Rober
Truth or Fiction?→ Military Plans to Confiscate Privately-Owned Guns From Americans-Fiction!
Military Plans to Confiscate Guns From Private American Citizens-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: The White House has issued formal directives for the military to confiscate guns from private owners from November 7th to December 23rd. The Truth: Outdated (a
Truth or Fiction?→ Florida Shooter Nikolas Cruz Was a Registered Democrat-Fiction!
Florida School Shooter Nikolas Cruz is a Registered Democrat-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz is a registered Democrat. The Truth: False claims that Nikolas Cruz is a registered Democrat are based on public voter registra
Truth or Fiction?→ Florida School Shooter Nikolas Cruz is a Member of Antifa, Resistance Groups-Fiction!
Florida School Shooter Nikolas Cruz is a Member of Antifa, Resistance Groups-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz is a member of Antifa and has taken part in the “resistance” movement. The Truth: Nikolas Cruz does
Truth or Fiction?→ Murderous 1960s Cult Leader Charles Manson Died at 83 in November 2017-Truth!
Murderous 1960s Cult Leader Charles Manson Died at 83 in November 2017-Truth! Summary of eRumor: Charles Manson died of natural causes at 83 in November 2017 while serving a life sentence in the California Department of Corrections. The Truth: Charles
Truth or Fiction?→ Photo Shows Sutherland Springs Church Shooter at Bernie Sanders Rally-Fiction!
Photo Shows the Sutherland Springs Church Shooter at Bernie Sanders Rally-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: A photo shows Sutherland Springs church shooter Devin Kelly at a Bernie Sanders campaign rally in 2016. The Truth: A photo of a young man at a Bernie
Truth or Fiction?→ Four Underage Girls Accuse Michael Moore of Sexual Harassment-Fiction!
Four Underage Girls Accuse Michael Moore of Sexual Harassment-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Filmmaker Michael Moore has been accused of sexual harassment by four underage girls. The Truth: A website that describes is content as “satirical fiction&#
Truth or Fiction?→ Four Underage Girls Accuse Michael Moore of Sexual Harassment-Fiction!
Four Underage Girls Accuse Michael Moore of Sexual Harassment-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Filmmaker Michael Moore has been accused of sexual harassment by four underage girls. The Truth: A website that describes is content as “satirical fiction&#
Truth or Fiction?→ Mandalay Bay Security Guard Jesus Compos Arrested as 2nd Las Vegas Gunman-Fiction!
Mandalay Bay Security Guard Jesus Compos Arrested as 2nd Las Vegas Gunman-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Police have arrested Mandalay Bay security guard Jesus Compos as the second gunman in the Las Vegas mass shoting that left 59 people dead and more tha
Truth or Fiction?→ CBS Executive Hayley Geftman-Gold Said She Has No Sympathy for Las Vegas Shooting Victims-Truth!
CBS Executive Hayley Geftman-Gold Said She Has No Sympathy for Las Vegas Shooting Victims-Truth! Summary of eRumor: CBS Executive Hayley Geftman-Gold said she has no sympathy for victims of a mass shooting in Las Vegas because they were attending a co
Truth or Fiction?→ Antifa Member Stabs Man for Having Neo-Nazi Haircut-Fiction!
Antifa Member Stabs Man for Having Neo-Nazi Haircut-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: A member of the Anti-Fascist group “Antifa” stabbed a Denver man for having a haircut that resembled the look of prominent neo-Nazis. The Truth: A Denver man re
Truth or Fiction?→ 12 White Female Bodies in Garage Freezer Tagged “Black Lives Matter”-Fiction!
12 White Female Bodies in Garage Freezer Tagged “Black Lives Matter”-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Los Angeles Police found 12 white female bodies in a garage freezer with “Black Lives Matter” written on them. The Truth: False rum
Truth or Fiction?→ Sacramento City Council Votes to Pay Gang Members $1.5 million Not to Kill People-Mostly Truth!
Sacramento City Council Votes to Pay Gang Members $1.5 million Not to Kill People-Mostly Truth! Summary of eRumor: The Sacramento City Council unanimously approved implementing a program that will pay gang members $1.5 million not to shoot people. The
Truth or Fiction?→ Charlottesville Police Were Told to Stand Down During Protests-Reported as Fiction!
Charlottesville Police Were Told to Stand Down During Protests-Reported as Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Charlottesville Police were told to stand down during demonstrations there in August 2017 that brought violent clashes between white nationalist prot
Truth or Fiction?→ President Trump Removes Muslim Judge for Allowing Sharia Law-Fiction!
President Trump Removes Muslim Judge for Allowing Sharia Law in U.S.-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: A report claims that Federal Appeals Court Judge Mahal al Alalallaha-Smith implemented sharia law in the United States by ruling that two related arti
Truth or Fiction?→ Special Forces Soldier John Martin Arrested After Clash with Protestors-Fiction!
Special Forces Soldier John Martin Arrested After Clash with Protestors-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Army Special Forces Master Sergeant John Martin was arrested in Berkley, California, after clashing with 100 anti-fascist protestors and sending 53 of t
Truth or Fiction?→ Nancy Pelosi’s Daughters Arrested for Selling Cocaine-Fiction!
Nancy Pelosi’s Daughters Arrested for Selling Cocaine-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s daughters, Julie and Nicole Pelosi, were arrested for trafficking cocaine and other drugs in July 2017. The Truth: A we
Truth or Fiction?→ ANTIFA Protesters Sabotage Emergency Services, Snip Fiber Optic Cables-Fiction!
ANTIFA Protesters Sabotage Emergency Services, Snip Fiber Optic Cables-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: ANTIFA protesters sabotaged emergency services in California and Arizona by snipping fiber optic cables used by emergency responders. The Truth: False r
Truth or Fiction?→ Canada Legalizes Sex With Animals, Most Beastiality is Legal-Truth! & Misleading!
Canada Legalizes Sex With Animals, Most Beastiality Legal-Misleading! Summary of eRumor: In a bizarre move, Canada has legalized most sexual acts with animals. The Truth: In 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada overturned British Columbia man’s
Truth or Fiction?→ Cannibal Babysitter on Meth Eats Toddler-Fiction!
Cannibal Babysitter on Meth Eats Toddler-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: A babysitter in Missouri ate a 3-month-old toddler after smoking crystal methamphetamine. The Truth: A notorious fake news website is behind false reports that a babysitter ate a to
Truth or Fiction?→ ICE Raids Dozens of Convenience Stores in St. Louis-Truth!
ICE Raids Dozes of Convenience Stores in St. Louis-Truth! Summary of eRumor: Federal ICE agents raided dozens of convenience stores in the St. Louis area in May 2017, resulting in 35 indictments. The Truth: Federal ICE agents took part in a raid on
Truth or Fiction?→ Charles Manson Granted Parole, Will Be Released from Prison-Fiction!
Charles Manson Granted Parole, Will Be Released from Prison-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Charles Manson has been granted parole and will be released from prison. The Truth: An old hoax about Charles Manson being paroled that was started by a known fa
Truth or Fiction?→ Democratic Senator Hal Lindsay Arrested, Dies in Custody-Fiction!
Democratic Senator Hal Lindsay Arrested, Dies in Custody-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Democratic Senator Hal Lindsay was arrested by the DEA over the weekend and was later killed while in protective custody. The Truth: A self-described fake news we
Truth or Fiction?→ President Trump Reinstates Peace Officers Memorial Day-Fiction!
President Trump Reinstates Peace Officers’ Memorial Day-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: President Donald Trump has reinstated a national day of remembrance for peace officers who were killed in the line of duty after President Obama canceled it. The
Truth or Fiction?→ AG Jeff Sessions Holds Stock in Private Prison System-Fiction!
AG Jeff Sessions Holds Stock in Private Prison System-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Attorney General Jeff Sessions holds stock in the private prison industry and stands to benefit financially from decisions to restore federal use of private prisons a
Truth or Fiction?→ Muslim Refugee Rapes Pregnant Michigan Woman-Fiction!
Muslim Refugee Rapes Michigan Woman for Hours-Fiction! Summary or eRumor: A Syrian refugee was arrested for raping and beating a pregnant woman in Hamtramck, Michigan, in May 2017. The Truth: A photo of South American woman who was the victim of dom
Truth or Fiction?→ Trump Supporters Beat Muslim Man for Raping 13-Year-Old Girl-Fiction!
Trump Supporters Beat Muslim Man for Raping 13-Year-Old Girl-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: President Donald Trump supporters in Ohio beat a Muslim man who raped a 13-year-old girl, and a photo of the man’s injuries went viral in May 2017. The Trut
Truth or Fiction?→ Missing Trey Gowdy Investigators Found Dead, Gowdy in Protective Custody-Fiction!
Missing Trey Gowdy Investigators Found Dead, Gowdy in Protective Custody-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Investigators working for U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) on a criminal investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton went missing and were