FishbowlNY has taken it upon itself to help poor, disgraced former ABC News consultant Alexis Debat by finding out the "real" Rob Sherman whom he *allegedly* met at a cocktail party and who, also allegedly, fabricated an interview with Senator Barack Obama.

That's a whole heck of a lot of allegations. Rob Sherman, the radio host who earlier told FishbowlNY that he had ''no contact and never heard of Debat,'' emailed this curious exchange between the two:

''I've received several inquiries from across the United States and also from France regarding a purported article that 'Rob Sherman' supposedly wrote for you. I am the only prominent Rob Sherman in the Chicago area -- see my web site at www.robsherman.com -- and, obviously, I've never heard of you nor worked with you regarding my friend, Barack Obama. In response to one reporter's inquiry, I've never worked for the Chicago Tribune, but they've written many stories about me (perhaps as many as 500 stories) in the past 20 years pertaining to my social activism. In addition, I do not now nor have I ever lived nor worked in Lombard, Illinois, which is about 15 miles from my home and office in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. ''What is all this stuff about? ''Best regards,

''Rob Sherman''

Debat responded:

''Dear Mr. Sherman,

''The 'Rob Sherman' in question is not you (obviously). I met him a while ago and last February he offered to conduct an interview with Barack Obama, whom he claimed to have access to. I accepted, gave him the questions and $500 and he gave me the answers in late March. He also asked me to not print his name but put mine, as if I did the interview myself. I stupidly did.

''This is my mistake, the rest is completely false, and I will fight these allegations in court.

''Best,

''Alexis Debat''

Will the "real" Rob Sherman please step up? (Cue to sound of crickets chirping)

(image via clipart)