Bob Lewis, an Associated Press reporter, has been temporarily suspended after publishing a report that turned out to be erroneous.
Politico reported on Oct. 18 that Lewis has been suspended.
Lewis published a report on Oct. 9 alleging that Terry McAuliffe, a contender for Virginia governor, lied to a federal official about a death benefits scam.
The Associated Press retracted the story on the same day.
“The initial alert moved on AP’s Virginia state wire at 9:45 p.m.,” AP spokesperson Paul Colford told Poynter via email. “The story was withdrawn one hour and 38 minutes later. That was an hour and 38 minutes too long.”
Lewis said via Twitter: “The error was mine and I take responsibility for it.”
Lewis didn’t respond to a request for comment from Politico and the Associated Press said that it doesn’t comment on personnel matters.
The Virginia governors race will end with a vote on November 5.
Bob McDonnell, the current governor, is prevented by term limits to run again. Auliffee, a Democrat; Republican Ken Cuccinelli; and Libertarian Robert Sarvis are vying to replace him.
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