Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

A German journalist who was found to have made up information for numerous articles — including one about Minnesota — is now being investigated in connection with allegedly soliciting donations for Syrian orphans from his readers.

The German magazine Der Spiegel said Sunday that its award-winning former reporter, Claas Relotius, had asked readers by email from his private account for donations to be transferred to his personal bank account.

German reporter messes with Fergus Falls. Now, he's out of a job

Der Spiegel said it's not clear how many people donated money, how much Relotius collected or what happened to the money. But the magazine said it will press charges and will work with prosecutors to find out the details.

Der Spiegel announced Wednesday that Relotius, 33, who worked first as a freelancer and later full-time, had fabricated interviews and facts in at least 14 articles. It has since fired him.

Among the articles with fabricated material was a feature Relotius wrote about residents of Fergus Falls, Minn., who support President Trump. 

Two residents of Fergus Falls wrote a lengthy rebuttal to Relotius' article, exposing errors and fabricated interviews.

Crime, Law and Justice

Associated Press

Author

A German journalist who was found to have made up information for numerous articles — including one about Minnesota — is now being investigated in connection with allegedly soliciting donations for Syrian orphans from his readers.


Disgraced German reporter now being investigated for possible donation fraud

Go Deeper.

Like this?