AP Suspends Reporter Over Story Accusing Terry McAuliffe of Lying

The Associated Press reporter has suspended the reporter who wrote an erroneous story saying Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe lied to a federal investigator, Politico reported Friday.

Longtime AP political reporter Bob Lewis will no longer cover the race between McAuliffe and Republican Ken Cuccinelli — and may remain suspended through the election, Politico reported.

Lewis’ Oct. 9 AP report said McAuliffe lied to a postal inspector during an investigation of an insurance scam. The mistake resulted from misidentifying a suspect referred to in court papers by the initials "T.M."

The AP issued a rare retraction an hour and 38 minutes after the story was posted,  saying the initials in the indictment did not refer to McAuliffe.

On Twitter, Lewis immediately took responsibility.



Politico said neither the AP nor Lewis responded to a request for comment on the suspension.