In an interesting twist to an already strange story, Scott Sassa, former president of entertainment and syndication for Hearst Corporation, may have fallen victim to a “catfish” scheme that led to his firing in March. Sassa exchanged suggestive text messages (RELATED: Leaked sexts that got ‘The Bible’ executive producer fired) and offered drugs to a woman he believed was an escort coming over for sex. However, now Business Insider is claiming that sources have come forward to suggest the woman never actually existed.
Anthough the woman Sassa believed he was talking to was named “Kira,” the woman in the pictures sent to Sassa from Kira’s phone number claims she has never interacted with Sassa in any way. She says she did not even know who he was until the texts were revealed earlier this week. She is, however, former friends with the man claiming to be Kira’s boyfriend who first approached Hearst with the texts.
The most notable recent catfish scheme came when Notre Dame player Manti Te’o believed he was in an online relationship with a girl named Lennay Kekua, who never actually existed (RELATED: A guide to the Manti Te’o hoax in 11 crazy steps) and may have been a character created by Te’o’s male friend. There is no evidence Sassa ever met with Kira, or a woman claiming to be Kira, in person.