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Tribune reporter resigns over faked story details

Brad Smith's work is under scrutiny after accusations that he fabricated part of a Wednesday report.

TAMPA - The Tampa Tribune has accepted the resignation of a reporter who the paper says fabricated the opening paragraphs of a story published in Wednesday's editions.

Veteran reporter Brad Smith offered his resignation when confronted with questions about the story, which concerned private towing companies. The newspaper said Smith fabricated an anecdote that opens the story about a woman who had her Jeep towed while she was visiting nightclubs.

Janet Weaver, the Tribune's executive editor, explained the situation and apologized to readers in a signed letter on the front page Thursday. It carried the headline, "Disclosure About Story That Violated Your Trust."

"We recognize that we have a covenant with our readers: to be truthful, to be fair, to be credible," Weaver wrote. "I am sorry that we've failed you in this case. We will rededicate ourselves to earning and keeping your trust."

Weaver explained that it was Smith who actually was there with friends after the Jeep was towed. The woman described in the story had lent the Jeep to a friend and was home with her child when it was towed.

The woman in the story, Tracy Sievertson, an acquaintance of Smith, told the St. Petersburg Times that she called Tribune editors Wednesday to complain about "significant inaccuracies." Weaver said the paper will review Smith's past work to make sure no other such problems exist.

A working telephone number for Smith could not be found and he could not be reached Thursday.

[Last modified April 29, 2005, 00:33:10]