Holy moly! That's a provocative, attention-getting headline, isn't it?
Seriously: did Michelle Obama pay someone to turn back the odometer of a 2009 $125,000 Bentley Continental Flying Spur so that it she could convince an unwitting buyer that it had been driven for only 15,000 rather than for 215,000 miles?
You'd think that even this accusation would be front-page news everywhere, wouldn't you? Now imagine if she and the President had settled the lawsuit against them out of court after an expert premium auto sales witness testified that it was the worst instance of fraud of its kind he had ever seen?
Respect for the First Lady be damned -- we would not be hearing about any other story right now!
So, you ask -- did Michelle Obama do this?
Answer after the filigree:
No, she didn't.
I just made the whole thing up.
I don't think that she's ever owned a car nearly that expensive and I've never even heard of her being accused of fraud at all -- let alone for 1/8 of a million bucks.
Instead, that was aspiring First Lady Ann Romney, who sold a dressage horse that could no longer perform dressage for $125,000 to an unsuspecting buyer after paying for the injection of a cocktail of painkillers that an expert witness said was unprecedented in his experience.
This story is a bit over a day old. I did some searching at June 22, ~1:00 PDT for top headlines.
GOOGLE NEWS, .
Philadelphia monsignor found guilty on one count in church abuse case
Chicago Tribune - 40 minutes ago
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Monsignor William Lynn was found guilty on Friday of one count of endangering the welfare of a child, making him the highest-ranking US Roman Catholic official convicted in the church child sex abuse scandal.
Philadelphia Catholic Official Convicted of Child EndangermentWall Street Journal - by Steve Eder
From Pennsylvania:Lynn guilty in clergy sex-abuse trialPhiladelphia Inquirer
From Australia:Struggling jury returns to work in Pa. priest caseNewsday
CTV.ca
It's an Isolated Life for Sandusky Trial Jurors
ABC News - 1 hour ago
There's no Twitter, Facebook or radio. Smartphones, iPads or laptops? No way. And the phones and televisions were removed from their hotel rooms.
Wall Street Journal
European Leaders, Still Divided, Push For Growth
Wall Street Journal - 4 minutes ago
Leaders of the euro zone largest economies said they endorsed a proposed €130 billion ($163 billion) plan to support growth, but Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti warned that the continent needs more ...
USA TODAY
Next up for LeBron James and Kevin Durant: Olympic starters?
USA TODAY - 8 minutes ago
What's next for forwards LeBron James and Kevin Durant? The NBA Finals foes are soon to be teammates. James of the NBA champion Miami Heat and Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder are scheduled to meet July 5 in Las Vegas for the start of Team USA ...
USA TODAY
Obama vows to fight for big immigration bill
USA TODAY - 10 minutes ago
By David Jackson, USA TODAY President Obama told a group of Hispanic lawmakers today he will continue fighting for a "comprehensive" immigration bill in the face of Republican obstructionism.
CTV.ca
Why the Microsoft Surface probably won't be an iPad killer
Written by
Eric Mack
CNET - 1 hour ago
Questions around price, battery life and connectivity are among the issues that could minimize the threat to Apple's belle of the tablet ball.
Voice of America
Turkish PM: Turkish Warplane Missing Off Syria
Voice of America - 36 minutes ago
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says a Turkish air force jet has gone down over Syrian waters. However, the prime minister told reporters in Ankara on Friday he could not confirm media reports that Syria shot down the plane since there was ...
Sydney Morning Herald
Hillary Clinton defends women's access to family planning during UN ...
Washington Post - 24 minutes ago
Rio de Janeiro - Hillary Rodham Clinton took a stand for women's reproductive rights during the Rio+20 United Nations conference on Friday, saying “women must be empowered to make decisions on whether and when to have children” if the world is to ...
CTV.ca
Donations for bullied bus monitor soar past $500000
msnbc.com - 1 hour ago
Two of the four boys who were taped tormenting a school bus monitor have apologized for their behavior in statements released through police.
Bakersfield Now
California voters narrowly reject new tobacco tax
Sacramento Bee - 18 minutes ago
By HANNAH DREIER AP SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A closely-watched effort to impose a new tax on tobacco to pay for cancer research in the nation's most populous state has failed by less than a percentage point after remaining too close to call for more than ...
CBS News
Mary Cheney marries longtime partner
Written by
Christine Delargy
CBS News - 1 hour ago
(CBS News) Mary Cheney and longtime partner Heather Poe were married Friday in Washington, DC, CBS News has confirmed. "Mary and Heather have been in a committed relationship for many years, and we are delighted that they were able to take advantage of ...
AFP
Report: Calif. to get seas rising 6 inches by 2030
Sacramento Bee - 35 minutes ago
By JEFF BARNARD AP Environmental Writer The West Coast will see an ocean several inches higher in coming decades, with most of California expected to get sea levels a half foot higher by 2030, according a report released Friday.
More U.S. stories
Business »
Business Today
FOREX-Euro rises after ECB eases rules, downtrend intact
Reuters - 23 minutes ago
* ECB eases collateral requirements to ease pressure on banks * "Big Four" in euro agree on aid to boost growth * Attention shifts to June 28-29 EU summit By Wanfeng Zhou NEW YORK, June 22 (Reuters) - The euro edged higher against the dollar on Friday ...
Toronto Star
US Stocks Rise; Banks Lead Broad-Based Gains
Wall Street Journal - 59 minutes ago
By Matt Jarzemsky NEW YORK--Stocks bounced from Thursday's steep decline, led by financial and health-care shares, as long-awaited cuts to global banks' credit ratings failed to faze investors.
AFP
WSJ: European Stocks Decline Friday, But Post Gain for the Week
Wall Street Journal - 1 hour ago
By Sara Sjolin European markets closed the week with a gain despite moving lower Friday, as investors shrugged off a fresh round of bank downgrades from Moody's Investors Service.
CBC.ca
GM recalling over 400000 Chevy Cruzes
CNNMoney - 1 hour ago
By Peter Valdes-Dapena @PeterDrivesJune 22, 2012: 2:29 PM ET NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- General Motors is recalling 413418 Chevrolet Cruze small cars to modify an engine shield that could create a fire hazard.
The Hindu
Oil hits to $91 after 18-month low, storm threat eyed
CNBC.com - 29 minutes ago
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Brent oil futures rose above $91 a barrel on Friday, rebounding after hitting an 18-month low, and US crude futures surged nearly 2 percent as a potential storm threatened to disrupt production in the Gulf of Mexico.
More Business stories
Elections »
Politico
Top Romney Donors Visit Park City for Exclusive Weekend
Bloomberg - 1 hour ago
Play Romney's Republicanpalooza, RNC Out-Raises Obama Mitt Romney kicks off a weekend retreat for wealthy donors today in Park City, Utah, offering backers the chance to mingle with campaign aides, Republican officials and the candidate himself at a ...
CBS News
Report: Romney talks tough on China, but Bain was key player in outsourcing trend
CBS News - 1 hour ago
UPDATED 12:24 pm ET (CBS News) While Mitt Romney campaigns on "getting tough" with China, the firm he founded nearly 30 years ago, Bain Capital, was a key player in the acceleration of the outsourcing trend that has shifted millions of American jobs ...
Hip-Hop Wired
Politico suspends reporter over Romney race comments
ABC News - 2 hours ago
Politico has suspended White House correspondent Joe Williams over comments suggesting that Mitt Romney is more "comfortable" around white people.
Wall Street Journal
AdWatch: Romney ads use key local issues to sell his candidacy in battleground ...
Washington Post - 3 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - TITLE: First 100 Days LENGTH: 30 seconds. AIRING: In Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina and Iowa, all crucial states in the November presidential election.
More Elections stories
CBS News
Flipboard Jumps To Google Android, Adds Google+
Investor's Business Daily - 42 minutes ago
By KEVIN SHALVEY, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY Flipboard, the app that collects social media streams and news and presents them in a "magazine" on your mobile devices, has launched for Google's (GOOG) Android operating system.
Telegraph.co.uk
running Facebook ads and Sponsored Stories
TechCrunch - 1 hour ago
When you connect with Facebook on Zynga.com, you'll see personalized ads and sponsored stories. The Facebook ads you see on Zynga are the same ads you see on Facebook.
CBS News
"Brave" reviews are in: What do critics think?
CBS News - 14 minutes ago
(CBS News) The latest Pixar film, which comes out Friday, has a "Brave" princess as the leading lady. The reviews are in for the animated film, which stars Merida, a fearless princess, voiced by Kelly McDonald.
The Sun
Katy Perry Talks Russell Brand Split: Couldn't Avoid "Elephant in the Room ...
E! Online - 35 minutes ago
Mila Black Swan's Out! Plus, Michelle Williams, Ashlee Simpson and more. Rate all the highs and lows! Katy Perry's new documentary is showing a lot more than just a part of her—especially when it comes to her personal life.
CTV.ca
Review: Honest Abe has an ax to grind in 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter'
Written by
Justin Craig
Fox News - 2 hours ago
We should file a complaint with our local board of education because our high school history teachers apparently lied to us about Abraham Lincoln, if we're to believe the new film about the former president being a vampire hunter.
CTV.ca
With NBC silent, Ann Curry keeps working at 'Today'
Boston Herald - 46 minutes ago
By AP NEW YORK - Ann Curry showed up again for work at NBC's "Today" show Friday as the network maintained its silence on reports that she's about to be replaced.
More Entertainment stories
Sports »
SB Nation
NHL Draft 2012: Nail Yakupov Has the Spotlight
SB Nation - 52 minutes ago
By Bruce Ciskie - NHL Contributor Nail Yakupov is the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, but will the Edmonton Oilers select him?
USA TODAY
Blue Jackets acquire goalie Bobrovsky
USA TODAY - 1 hour ago
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers pulled off the first trade of the draft weekend, with Flyers backup goalie Sergei Bobrovsky headed to Columbus.
New York Times
EURO 2012 LIVE: Germany vs. Greece
Fox News - 24 minutes ago
WARSAW, Poland - In the second quarterfinal at Euro 2012, Germany plays Greece on Friday. Here's the best of the action and match-day excitement.
TSN
Lin Granted Early-Bird Rights
New York Times - 5 minutes ago
An arbitrator has granted Jeremy Lin his so-called early-Bird rights, which would give the Knicks much greater latitude in free agency on July 1. However, the NBA intends to appeal the ruling, according to a person informed of the league's thinking, ...
More Sports stories
Science »
Wall Street Journal
New Bird-Flu Study Shows Virus's Pandemic Potential
Wall Street Journal - 3 hours ago
By GAUTAM NAIK A new experiment shows how the H5N1 virus that causes bird flu might spark a human pandemic by transforming it into a type capable of airborne transmission between mammals.
Independent Online
Kepler space telescope peers at hot alien couple
Register - 4 hours ago
By Brid-Aine Parnell • Get more from this author Pic Astro-boffins have located an alien planet pair that are orbiting so close to each other, any inhabitants would see a planet-rise as well as sunrise.
More Science stories
Health »
ABC News
Baby's Tumor Removed in Womb
ABC News - 17 minutes ago
Tammy Gonzalez looked back and forth between the ultrasound monitor and the technician's terrified stare. "Is that on me or the baby?
Moneycontrol.com
GMA Responds to Cereal FACTS Report
Supermarket News - 21 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - The Grocery Manufacturers Association responded to a Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity report that found that although cereal companies have improved the nutrition quality of kids cereals, they continue to market high-sugar ...
Ann Curry, yes; Ann Romney, no.
CNN.COM
Trial rocks very Catholic Philly
LIVE: Reaction to Philly priest verdict
THIS JUST IN
GM recalling 400,000+ Chevy Cruzes
Euro 2012 live: Germany vs. Greece SI
Taliban stage deadly hotel attack
Ranger dies trying to help climbers
CDC visitors exposed to deadly germs?
U.S. cuts greenhouse gases
Breivik calls his mass killing 'barbaric'
Flash floods bash Minn., Wisc. | Photos
Couple rescued from raging floods
Meet 3D monster-size mobile Nintendo
Testimony read back at Sandusky trial
Sandusky's son: I was his victim, too
Stocks rebound after big sell-off
Pics: Syria hospital in line of fire | Latest
South Korea, U.S. hold big military drill
See Zimmerman re-enact shooting
Ticker: Mistress says no regrets
Mom: 3rd grade son strip-searched
Egypt military threatens to use 'iron fist'
Sinkhole gobbles up house
Drop pants, increase TV ratings?
Parents accused of killing pimp
Forget mowers! County uses goats
An answer to grannies' cries of help
Surgery journey begins for Aesha
She beat cancer, wants topless swim
LeBron James gets his NBA title
Pedal mistake lands BMW atop luxury cars
Top atheist blogger goes Christian
Stranger's $345,000 gift saves church
Working amid flames and chaos
'Ferrari train:' All aboard!
Gum just may be a wonder food
Getting caught on Google maps
China artist Ai Weiwei paints bleak future
Music video: 1 take, 18 costume changes
U.S. Kids beat heat old-school style
Why did you become an American?
After cancer, fight to swim topless
LeBron: 'I dreamed about this moment'
Photographer goes inside wildfires
Gifts pour in for bullied bus monitor
Sandusky friend: Son is 'troubled'
Does Zimmerman story add up?
World
Photos: Afghan hotel attacked
A future for Uganda's AIDS orphans
'El Chapo's' son arrested in Mexico
Photos: No escape from war
American, 24, witness to Syria carnage
Russia's 'moral' stance on Syria
Declassified: Pre-9/11 bin Laden hunt
Police rappel to stop suicide jump
Politics
What do Latinos want from Romney?
Romney plays it safe to Latino group
Senate passes massive farm bill
Rubio: GOP is pro legal immigration
Why contempt case may be doomed
Contempt vote inflames debate
Contempt vote shows 'broken' D.C.
Mitt playing it safe, yes; Ann playing Janice Soprano, no.
MSNBC.com
ENDANGERMENT CONVICTION IN LANDMARK PRIEST SEX ABUSE TRIAL
Monsignor becomes first U.S. church official convicted for how he handled sex abuse claims; acquitted of conspiracy.
Calif. used 9/11 scholarship funds to close state budget gap
NYT: Who's to blame when women can't 'have it all'? US official renews debate
Pricey Tesla Model-S sedan finally hits the market
GM recalls over 400,000 Chevy Cruze sedans
Greek-German soccer clash mirrors fiscal feud
More top stories
Donations for bullied bus monitor soar past $500,000
Iran sanctions trap store clerks, customers alike
Turkish leader can't confirm Syria shot down warplane
Obama says he will fight for immigration reform
Ark. court declares execution law unconstitutional
Muslim man sentenced for 'South Park' threats
Robots to join hunt for wreckage of Earhart's plane
Woman in baby-selling case: Send me to jail
Road rage victim arrested — for earlier road rage
NJ woman hit by ball sues Little Leaguer
Gulf tropical storm likely; some workers evacuate
Alleged fake cop busted pulling over real officer
Travolta, lawyer sued for libel by author
Surface tablet may cost $599, have Wi-Fi only
Featured on msnbc.com
Olympic hopeful Jordyn Wieber talks cereal box stardom
'Girl Thing' science video: Not a good thing
Flood waters sweep through Minn. town
Boy carries sign in act of public punishment
Boehner takes hard line on Holder contempt vote
Obama, Romney bring kids into campaign
Catholic official convicted in priest-abuse trial
Monsignor William Lynn has has been convicted of child endangerment but acquitted of conspiracy in a groundbreaking clergy-abuse trial in Philadelphia.
Matt Sandusky: from staunch defender to daming accuser
Ark. Supreme Court declares execution law unconstitutional
Iran sanctions trap store clerks, customers alike
Woman in baby-selling case: Send me to jail
London bus drivers strike for $780 Olympic bonus
Road rage beating victim arrested — for earlier road rage
UK parents charged with killing kids kept from funeral
Multimedia
Mount Rainier ranger killed while rescuing climbers
Tattooed 10-year-old removed from grandfather’s care
Rubio: Some want immigration issue unresolved to win elections
Potential vice presidential contender Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told the annual convention of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials that “both my head and my heart tell me that today perhaps we are as close as we’ve ever been to a critical turning point in the debate about immigration.”
Obama has his own immigration challenge
Ron Paul 'Revolution' strikes at GOP state parties
Obama accuses Congress of 'playing chicken' with student-loan rates
High court deals another blow to public-sector unions
Romney accuses Obama of taking Latino vote 'for granted'
Is Romney too focused on the economy?
Meet the new player in the 2012 campaign: the Internal Revenue Service
Privacy deal could dent Facebook's revenue
Facebook ads are irritating. And that has become a stumbling block in the social networks efforts to make money from its more than 900 million active users.
Stocks rebound from prior day’s sell-off
GM recalls over 400,000 Chevy Cruze sedans
Why oil prices are lowest they've been in months
Noisy stores spur creative shopping
The best countries for entrepreneurs
Work-life balance debate hits a 'tipping point'
Schilling: Company cost me baseball fortune
Woman in baby-selling case says "send me to jail," yes; woman in doped-horse-selling case says "send me to White House," no.
I didn't bother checking Fox or the major networks. Maybe I'll update.
Again -- if it had just been disclosed yesterday that Michelle Obama had been sued for defrauding someone in the sale of a Bentley for $125,000, I think that it would still be top news. Don't you?
I would think that this story would be a Super Hit. (That's the name of the horse, too. Nice hook, eh?)
1:57 PM PT:
I've now done some additional research. My sense is that the story burst onto social media yesterday (which is when I first saw it) or the day before, but the first mention I see is in this Los Angeles Times story of May 22, which was followed by this fawning New York Times story from May 27 and then this somewhat less indulgent story (but still with a pretty picture!) from the Washington Post on May 29.
The other top links are all from left-alternative sites, starting yesterday.