Compulsive letter-writer clearly had nothing else to do with his time

While Mitch Albom’s non-punishment by the Detroit Free Press is inflaming debate out here, on the left coast the intrepid reporters at the Contra Costa Times smoked out their very own fraud: compulsive letter-writer Kyle Vallone, who concocted a variety of identities under which to submit letters to the editor of various Bay-area newspapers. A model of discretion, he’d also send an angry email whenever a letter wasn’t published. Eventually, reporter Sarah Krupp connected the dots and exposed him as someone with a great deal of time on his hands.

According to Krupp, Vallone “is most proud of coming up with the name Batswala Dala.” Sure, pretty cute–when high school students do it.

How the ‘Contra Costa Times’ Uncovered a Letters-to-the-Editor Scam [E&P via Romenesko]
Letter writer fools Bay papers with various noms de plume [Contra Costa Times]
RELATED, and still hilarious: To The Editor [The New Yorker]

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