Boston Globe Columnist Kevin Cullen Placed On Leave Over Embellishment Claims
BOSTON (CBS) – A popular Boston Globe columnist was placed on administrative leave after allegations that he embellished accounts of the Boston Marathon bombings.
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The newspaper launched an investigation after claims from WEEI that Kevin Cullen's columns from recent years included misleading information.
"We take seriously any credible assertion about the integrity of our journalism. We are conducting a review, and if the record needs to be corrected in any way, we will do so forthrightly," Boston Globe spokeswoman Jane Bowman said in an initial statement to WBZ-TV on Friday.
Later in the day, the newspaper posted an editor's note saying Cullen has been placed on administrative leave.
The integrity of each of our journalists is fundamental to our organization. In light of questions that have publicly surfaced, Kevin Cullen has been placed on paid administrative leave while a thorough examination, involving a third party with expertise, is done of his work. We will be transparent with the results of the review.
The radio station alleged that Cullen wrote questionable details of the bombing aftermath. He told WEEI, however, that he didn't arrive to cover the deadly blasts until later in the day.