The AP Falls for Hoax Press Release in which GE Pledges to Return Its Entire $3.2 Billion Tax Refund

The Associated Press optimistically posted a story “GE to Return $3.2 billion to US Treasury” indicating that, in a fit of social conscientiousness, the corporation decided to donate its entire $3.2 billion tax refund back to the U.S. Treasury, as well as “create one job in the U.S. for each new job it creates overseas.”

Well, that’s amazing! Thanks, GE!

But if it seems to good to be true, it probably is. Business Insider reports that this article was actually based on a fake press release titled “GE Responds to Public Outcry – Will Donate Entire $3.2 Billion Tax Refund to Help Offset Cuts and Save American Jobs,” posted at a site called http://www.genewscenters.com/. The entire press release is posted at Business Insider.

Oops! Apparently the “obvious” hoax was in response to the New York Times‘ claim last month that GE, despite its huge profits, was paying no taxes.

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