U.S. Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore lost an election to his Democratic rival in December, mainly due to claims of sexual misconduct with underage girls. However, one woman from Atlanta was accused of false sex claims.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that Jaime Phillips allegedly invented a story that the candidate impregnated her as a teenager and approached the Washington Post.
The story illustrates some of the issues criminal defendants face in sex assault cases. Frequently, they are arrested on the uncorroborated evidence of a single witness who may have an ulterior motive.
The AJC reported Phillips spoke with reporters from the Washington Post. She claimed Moore made her pregnant as a teenager.
However, reporters from the Post were able to disprove her story.
The Post reported the woman shared her dramatic story about an alleged sexual relationship with Moore in 1992 that resulted in an abortion when she was 15.
Former Atlanta woman was accused of making false sex claims
She asked Post reporters to give their opinions on the effects her claims could have on Moore’s candidacy if she went public.
The Post did not publish her account which was unsubstantiated. When Post reporters pointed out inconsistencies in her story and an Internet posting that questioned her motivation, she insisted she was not working with any organization that targets journalists.
The plot thickened when Washington Post reporters saw Phillips walking into the offices of Project Veritas, an organization known for targeting the mainstream news media as well as groups on the left of the political spectrum.
The Post pointed out it has a policy of not releasing names of people who give reporters anonymous information. However, the apparent link between Phillips and Project Veritas led to an exception being made.
After Phillips was seen going into the Project Veritas office, The Post made the decision to report her off-the-record comments.
Martin Baron, the Post’s executive editor said the intent of Project Veritas was to portray the media in a bad light. She said:
“Because of our customary journalistic rigor, we weren’t fooled, and we can’t honor an ‘off-the-record’ agreement that was solicited in maliciously bad faith.”
The AJC reported Phillips set up a page meant to raise money for a move to New York, where she would be working in a position to take on the “liberal MSM.” or mainstream media.
Although many of the sex allegations made in recent weeks against movie moguls, stars, and TV hosts appear to have a basis in truth, there is a danger that they will be taken at face value.
The criminal burden of proof is beyond reasonable doubt. If you have been charged with a sex crime, please contact our Newnan criminal defense lawyers for help at (404) 913-1529.