Every day, this website receives literally dozens of tips.
Most of these submissions are sent directly to our founding editor’s email address (w@fitsnews.com) or to our post office box (P.O. Box 5230, Columbia, SC 29250) – but a good number of them come via the contact page on our website.
Most of those tips – particularly the ones sent through our website – are anonymous. In fact, it’s always fun to see the phoney email addresses that people create whenever they send us these anonymous submissions.
And obviously, a lot of these incoming reports are totally inaccurate – or at best they only tell “half the story.” But a good many of them are spot on – and some of them lead to major statewide news stories (in fact, here’s a recent example of a big political story that originated via our tip line).
Of course anonymous submissions to our website have been instrumental in breaking major sports stories, too …
The only problem with our tip line? We get so many incoming reports it’s impossible to follow up on them all … but we do read each one of them, and we do make an editorial decision regarding each one of them (even if it’s deciding to do nothing).
Given the furious backlash we’ve experienced over a recent report – in which a source alleged that former University of South Carolina baseball star Scott Wingo didn’t take his Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) – we figured it was worth laying out how this particular tip evolved.
On July 29, our tip line received the following message:
“Rumor has it that Scott Wingo had someone take his SAT in order to make it into USC…”
Initially we dismissed this submission. In fact, we forgot about it almost as fast as we read it.
A day or so later, though, while investigating a totally separate report – we spoke with a source close to the USC athletics program who acknowledged having heard a similar rumor about Wingo (and at least one other USC player). Still, we didn’t give the tip much credence. Also, we are naturally suspicious of any “seismic” submissions – if for no other reason that we’re paranoid of some one “setting us up” by planting a false story. In fact, there have been numerous previous attempts to do just that – which is why this website takes great pains to receive independent confirmation for anything we write.
Obviously it’s not lawsuits we’re worried about (we’re very careful with our words and employ the very best lawyers in the business), but like any other news outlet we’re constantly mindful of bottom line credibility.
Simply put, if we get a story wrong – it hurts our credibility. Which is why we don’t print stories unless we are confident of their veracity.
Anyway, based on this conversation – and a follow-up chat in which our USC source indicated that there was “a lot more to the Wingo story” that our original tip suggested – we decided to start digging.
OUR INVESTIGATION BEGINS
On August 2 – four days after receiving the original tip – we wrote our reporter Jordan Dominick and asked him to help us look into what was at the time nothing but a rumor.
“There’s a rumor going around that Scott Wingo had somebody take his SAT test for him,” we wrote Dominick on August 2. “I don’t know if it is true, but you can obviously see the consequences if it is. Can you dig on it?”
Two days after that, our founding editor did some digging of his own – sending a message to the email address that was associated with the original tip.
“I’ve got a reporter chasing this Wingo thing down,” our founding editor wrote to the source. “Obviously we keep all tips anonymous. Is there anything else you can share? Anything that can point my guy in the right direction?”
At this point, we expected the Wingo story to die a relatively quick death – as so many “seismic” tips do. In fact, we expected to receive one of those “invalid recipient” emails that so often accompanies our attempts to glean additional information from sources.
To our surprise, not only was the email address real – but there was a source on the other end of it who was willing to provide more information.
“I don’t have much, but I may be able to provide the date and location of when and where it would have occured (sic) if it’s true,” the source emailed us back. “I may be able to find out who was in the same room taking the test when it possibly occurred. No promises. But will get back in touch.”
Once again … several days passed and we forgot about the story (for a second time). In fact, it wasn’t until six days later – when we did this post on Wingo’s first professional home run – that we decided to follow back up with the original source.
“Anything you can share yet on the tip?” we wrote the original source.
THE “HOSTILE” EYEWITNESS
The following day – August 10 – a big break came.
That’s when our original tipster provided us with the name, phone number and email address of an individual who was, as they previously suggested, “in the same room taking the test” at the time.
We called this individual and – after guaranteeing to protect their anonymity – proceeded to interview them. The most important question we asked was whether the Scott Wingo they witnessed taking the SAT exam five years ago in Greenville, S.C. was the same individual who led the University of South Carolina to back-to-back national championships in baseball in 2010 and 2011.
“It wasn’t him,” the source said.
We asked again, just to be sure, and again we received the same answer.
“It wasn’t him.”
Even after this stunning admission, we still had our doubts. In fact, even after we were able to confirm that the alleged eyewitness knew Wingo – and more importantly was where they said they were (at the time they said they were there) – we still had no immediate plans to run the story.
Why not?
For starters, this person was (is) … for lack of a better word … a “hostile” eyewitness.
Not only are they a “Gamecock,” but they told us flatly during the original interview that they didn’t think Wingo should “get in trouble for something he did five years ago.”
In fact just hours after the interview, they responded testily to an email send by our founding editor seeking additional information.
“This needs to be dropped,” the eyewitness responded. “Please leave me out of it.”
Follow-up emails revealed the extent to which the source – whose name, age and gender we are withholding – was rightfully paranoid about what would happen “if this does ever come out.”
In an email the following day, August 11, the source specifically asked us to back off of the story.
“This is something big which I’d prefer not to be involved with at all,” they wrote. “Unfortunately, someone contacted you and now cats out of the bag. My feelings are simple, he got away with it 6 years ago, let it be.”
DUE DILIGENCE
“Let it be” is exactly what we were prepared to do.
Even our eyewitness – who obviously didn’t want the story to break – acknowledged that there was “no way to prove it.”
Nonetheless, before we conducted that interview (or did the necessary legwork to verify that the alleged eyewitness was indeed who they claimed to be – and was in a position to witness what they claimed to have witnessed), we had already began the process of reaching out to Wingo – and the University of South Carolina – in an effort to let them know that we were at least going to investigate the allegation.
Obviously, we’re not a traditional news outlet (in fact we’re predominantly an opinion site), which means we don’t always consider it our obligation to solicit responses from people we write about. However, when dealing with a serious allegation like this one, it would have obviously been irresponsible on our part not to reach out to the individual who was being accused of misconduct.
As a part of that process, we made repeated attempts to contact Wingo, the University of South Carolina and others connected to this story – offering them the same courtesies we extend to any source we contact seeking information.
Also (and this is very important), at this stage of our investigation, we made it perfectly clear to the media relations contact for Wingo’s professional team and the USC sports information office that we were not interested in writing a “denial” story – in which reporters elicit a negative response as an excuse to publish their stories.
We also made it clear that Wingo – or anyone speaking on his behalf – was more than welcome to go off the record with us or provide us with information on background that was not to be attributed back to them. Basically, we extended to them the same courtesy we extended to all of our sources – a flexible information exchange that would have permitted them to respond without fear of inducing a story or getting blow back from any information they may have been willing to provide.
In fact, we made this point expressly clear in a telephone conversation with Andrew Kitick – the media’s point of contact for USC baseball inquiries.
Eventually – thanks to a few non-specific hints our founding editor dropped on his Twitter page – we learned what there was to be a coordinated response to our investigation.
That response? Silence …
Still … even at this point we remained disinclined to run with the story.
What caused us to change our minds? And what threatens to turn this into a much bigger story?
Stay tuned for Part II of our “Evolution of a Tip” report …
***
By Tunes'n'news August 26, 2011 at 11:52 am
That’s a few minutes of my life I’ll never get back.
By Mark's Phone August 26, 2011 at 11:59 am
Kenny, it’s about Wingo, not us. Calm the fuck down already.
By Other August 26, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Tunes n’ News:
Ummm…aren’t all the minutes of your life like that?
By Bob Loblaw August 26, 2011 at 12:06 pm
This is so stupid. How did your informant know that Wingo was even supposed to be taking the SAT on that certain date? And how does your source know that some certain person was sitting in for Wingo? Was your source cheating and peeking at the fake Wingo’s test?
So what if a person taking a test wasn’t Wingo? There were probably 50 other persons in the room taking the test that weren’t Wingo.
By GreenvilleLwyr August 26, 2011 at 12:06 pm
No way to work in Obama or Haley. What bullshit nonsense will BigT have to say about this story…
By BigT August 26, 2011 at 12:13 pm
A circus barker at best…
PS: As one who really wants to think the Wingo thing was a Crap-out for FITS, your “evolution” explanation tells me that you were taken advanatge of (although is it much like the way a prostitute gets taken advantage of)…Willingly…
I hope your Part II has as much teeth as Part I…because I love to see you flail away at this…
I’m on Wingo’s side no matter what happens, and right now USC and the baseball team are kicking your ass like they kick Clemson’s.
The more you try to ‘spalin…the worse you look…
By That Boz Guy @ The Beach August 26, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Am I a pussy if I don’t give a flying fuck about this story?
By Lucee Gibb August 26, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Ok.. just so I am clear; you are mad at Will for reporting the story because our beloved Gamecocks might suffer because our more beloved Wingo (and I do love him) is alleged to have lied and/or broke the rules and had someone else take the SAT’s for him?? So this is Will’s fault and not Wingo’s?? He wasn’t a baseball star when he made the conscience decision to not take the test himself!! We are all accountable for our actions.. Don’t shoot the messenger… And before you get on my A$$, I hope the allegations are NOT true and Wingo did the honorable thing and took the SAT; there is more to good character than being a star! Integrity first.
By Good ole Boy August 26, 2011 at 1:36 pm
So your eyewitness refused to sign an affidavit and wants no part of this story? And you still ran with it?
Is your conclusion in Part II going to be similar to your excuse about being “forced” to come forward with the Haley affair?
By mtk August 26, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Lucee– people are rightfully mad at Will BC all he’s given is some guy saying it happened. You won’t see legitimate reporters making such a severe allegation with only that to go on.
By Brian August 26, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Man…that was pretty lame.
By Olisa's Phone August 26, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Sic, SCDPS has released the Lancaster, Shannon text and phone records, jump on this, something that has documentation.
By Perry Mason August 26, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Sic, get back to the Lancaster sex scandals, documentation is out.
By Good ole Boy August 26, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Also, your “eyewitness” even admitted it was impossible to prove.
So why are you tarnishing Wingo’s name over something that happened six years ago and cannot be proved, especially now that your “eyewitness” refuses to sign an affidavit and wants to drop the whole thing?
By OhNoNotAgain August 26, 2011 at 1:49 pm
We’ve had three/four posts on your site about this story, yet still no story?
Sad.
You know, dangling off-the-record status to everyone is ripe with abuses of journalists and whatever you want to call yourself.
I think USC’s official response has been weak to this, so I have held off on criticism of this “story.”
But if Wingo’s old girlfriend can’t prove this, and says so to you, seems pretty irresponsible to run with it.
By lecherous old man August 26, 2011 at 1:51 pm
We don’t care. Drop it already.
By law anyone? August 26, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Yawn. Dumb.
By BigT August 26, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Thou doth ‘splain too much…This looks like a FITS-ian Implosion to me…
I think if Wingo can get this in front of a jury…you’re DEAD Meat, and that’s even if he did it. Because you cannot prove he did…and w/o proof on your part, it looks like an intentional attack on his reputation, and I think any jury would take delight and making you pay for this…
Bro, if you would have listened to me, you would not have had to pull such a risky and ill-advised stunt, to try and stay afloat….
By The Colonel August 26, 2011 at 1:56 pm
Even if it were true, the NCAA runs the SAT clearing house so USC isn’t culpable in any way.
Sic’s full of excrement and we’re all just making him slightly more well financially endowed but what fun to watch him hoist himself on his own petard – hey a retard on a petard….
By Good ole Boy August 26, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Big T: I hope you are right. I agree that if your own source says “it cannot be proven” and refuses to sign an affidavit, that sounds like a very bright red flag.
By Sarah August 26, 2011 at 2:15 pm
BigT,
How can your mind be made up already? It’s clear more is coming. It’s not like you to have major convictions about minor issues with only a scintilla of information.
By Tunes'n'news August 26, 2011 at 2:16 pm
A story about getting a story, without telling the story.
By Part I summary August 26, 2011 at 2:17 pm
I’m sorry Mr. Wingo. Clearly I’m an idiot.
By peecocks August 26, 2011 at 2:20 pm
BACK to BACK now give them back!
shirts will be available for sale soon. . .
By Tom August 26, 2011 at 2:35 pm
It is interesting to note that most local mainstream sports outlets have not made any mention of this “story.”
By BigT August 26, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Sarah: My mind is not made up. I think even if it is true, it’s unprovable on FITS’ part. And could be subject to a law suit…
If you get a judge to let this go to trial, I think FITS gets blistered…
And since FITS worked for a Republican Governor, and has a record that liberals would not be inclined to be in favor of, I think even a liberal judge would uncharacteristically go against him.
Also: I once got a letter from an attorney threatening to sue me for libel. I immediately pulled down the AP Stylebook and looked in the back where libel law is explained in detail. I did not even commit the libel, but I was an editor…for the one who did…
It the case, the accusation was proveable, so we barely dodged a bullet. But FITS cannot prove this accusation. So I think it would be an interpretation issue. If a judge lets it in, juries LIVE to punish media that acts like this…
Public opinion would be Heavilly against FITS, as would the law.
If Wingo sues, I think he would have a great case. It would be Wingo’s word vs a “Hostile” eyewitness. I bet I know who a jury would side with…
By Abe Vigoda August 26, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Gee, Boz has no interest in this story….much like the rest of the civilized world has no interest in his various Horry County/ Myrtle Beach conspiracy theories.
By BigT August 26, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Ouch…Abe…
And what’s more: people from little hell-holes like MB have NO idea that the rest of the world does not revolve around their chaotic little cluster-foxtrots…
No to mention: the things Boz drones on and on about are commonplace…it’s just that the people who see it elsewhere are sophisticated enough to realize it’s not new or earth-shattering…
Sorry, Boz. But that’s the truth…
By Craig August 26, 2011 at 3:19 pm
Sounds like a whole lot of nothing so far.
By Stinkin' Yankee August 26, 2011 at 3:21 pm
People who don’t seem to care, c’mon…If true, he lied, he cheated. Is that all you expect from USC athletes and the young people of this state??? Sic, you’re right. There is a lot backward in this state.
By GreenvilleLwyr August 26, 2011 at 3:28 pm
BigT was an editor? Seriously? His writing is among the most nonsensical and gramatically-incorrect of all the posters on here, and that is saying something.
What did he edit, Crackhead Monthly?
By little t August 26, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Right BIG T, You were an editor, of what? A milk jug label maybe? Next we’ll be told that your current book is # 1 on the NY Times bestseller list. Or, you’re now a Navy Seal. Whatever!
By Victor August 26, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Sic – This story is crushing you. Instead, work the drug and cash link to dirty cop Lancaster. People love a solid sex’d up druggie dirty cop story. Especially if the cop is a turdhead.
By Sarah August 26, 2011 at 4:12 pm
That is laughable BigT. If you were an editor, you would attract people with your writings, not repel them. Also, I bet Boz can kick your ass.
By Jake August 26, 2011 at 4:20 pm
Wingo is a bitch just like Alshon’s fat ass.
By CNSYD August 26, 2011 at 4:40 pm
The Colonel, It is NOT The “SAT” clearing house. The NCAA clearing house mainly checks into high school transcripts, high school course descriptions, etc. Actually the term “clearing house” is no longer used. It is now called the NCAA Eligibility Center. The folks who run the SAT have their own investigatory people and systems.
By BigT August 26, 2011 at 4:52 pm
I think the liberals HATE people like me…but they simply cannot imagine that I would be involved in any media endeavor. They HATE HATE that idea even more. And most establishment media HATES anybody not leftist, too. I know that from experience. You want anybody who thinks outside of your little mythical world, to be SILENCED…
And I admit, I NEVER expose my true political opinions on the job. I am a very objective journalist. It’s why I understand liberal slant so well…
Anyway: I have also sat on libel seminars. It’s tough to get a favorable, but I think Wingo (his attorney) can convince that there is a careless disregard for the truth in this case…
And Sarah: Just like it confounds yall that I work in media (as if you think that is some exalted profession above you) I’m in very good physical shape (thank God.) And I’m a bit younger (according to Boz’s photo.) I grew up pretty tough too, so if you bet, I would not put too much money on ol’ Boz.
That said: I see that you libs have many stereotypes that rule you. I fit none of them. And you despise me for it. FITS fits all of them, and you love him for it..
By Freehawk August 26, 2011 at 5:10 pm
A story about getting a story, without telling the story.
Which isn’t a story.
I agree, the more FITS explains, the worse you look. And your delight in the backlash shows you are just in it because you subscribe to “any publicity is good publicity.”
By taterbaiter August 26, 2011 at 5:15 pm
LOL..you taters posting in here are dumber than this whole non-story is.
It is killing you that USC owns your ass now, and stupid stuff like this is all you can grasp on to.
Has it been “investigated” actually took the SAT more than once?
By eggaday August 26, 2011 at 5:15 pm
no Boz, you are no pussy
By Sarah August 26, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Its not just the liberals who hate you, BigT. You look juvenille trying to convince others how are important and all-knowing you are. What I do see is that you can’t be worth a shit at your job. Proof of that is that you’re constantly on this page, writing random walk non-sensical drivel. Fancy yourself important, little man.
By JoeSchmoe August 26, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Well USC is only culpable if a USC booster paid someone to take Wingo’s test, with the assurance Wingo would spurn Clemson for USC (not much to spurn when you ain’t got an offer)………
By BigT August 26, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Sarah, you must think I’m important on your own. I’ve never claimed to be important. I just offer my opinion….
You seem to have a problem with that, like most liberals. As I said: You people CANNOT stand (or offer a defense) for your stupid and failed Bull-$#!t. And when you get called on it, by someone w/ even half-a-brain, you become verklempt.
Quit buying into dumbass ideology, and you won’t HATE so much…Try loving your country…and don’t be such an A-hole…
By Jimmer August 26, 2011 at 6:37 pm
Yawn
By Chuck August 26, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Hahahahaha Dumbass…..you’re a closet Democrat right?
By Tank McNamara August 26, 2011 at 8:55 pm
prove it, sic.
By Dropkick Jones August 26, 2011 at 9:29 pm
Once again, Sick tries to destroy to get site hits. Lies, lies and more lies and the goobers just suck it up like its gospel. Fools.
By Perry Mason August 26, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Sic, face it, this Wingo story sucks. Get back to the Lancaster sex scandal. Jody Barr is getting all your glory.
By Man in Black August 27, 2011 at 12:24 pm
@That Boz Guy – No. You’re a pussy regardless
By Sarah August 27, 2011 at 12:31 pm
We were taking about your unpopularity here and your lack of productivity on the job BigT, not liberals. Try to stay on topic.
By This guy is a joke August 28, 2011 at 11:27 am
This guy makes me laugh. Great piece of writing! I think you would make a fine journalism professor at SC.
By G.L. August 29, 2011 at 1:52 am
BigT,
Your legal analysis is wrong in this case. Wingo is a public figure and this is a matter of public concern, so he would have to prove that this accusation is false if he sues FITSNews.
By Richard August 30, 2011 at 9:14 am
I’m still interested in **HOW** this individual knew Scott Wingo had a ringer in the room. When you take the SAT, they DON’T CALL ROLL. Obviously if the source actually knew Scott Wingo then he would’ve known if the real Wingo walked in the room. However, if the real Wingo didn’t walk in the room but an imposter, how would this source know? Did this ringer walk around and introduce himself as Scott Wingo?
I’m glad you printed HOW this story came about but there are some HUGE GAPING holes on how this guy knew Wingo wasn’t in the room.
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By DabosBraincell August 31, 2011 at 11:00 pm
Jack Leggett called and said the Heated bat story was MUCH more interesting
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By King of Turd Mountain November 29, 2011 at 11:55 pm
Occasionally I visit this site just to see if it’s self-proclaimed “editor” has the balls to back up this bogus claim or simply admit the story was a complete farce.
Then I slap myself for falling for the trap.
Bravo.