AKA Janet Leslie Cooke

Born: 23-Jul-1954

Gender: Female
Race or Ethnicity: Black
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Journalist, Hoaxer

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Caught writing fake news

"Jimmy's World" was in essence a fabrication. I never encountered or interviewed an 8-year-old heroin addict. The Sept. 28, 1980 article in the Washington Post was a serious misrepresentation which I deeply regret. I apologize to my newspaper, my profession, the Pulitzer Board and all seekers of the truth. Today, in facing up to the truth, I have submitted my resignation.

Father: Stratman Cooke
Mother: Loretta Cooke
Sister: Nancy (younger)
Boyfriend: Mike Sager (ex)
Husband: Joe Phillips (div.)

    High School: Maumee Valley Country Day School, Toledo, OH (1972)
    University: Vassar College
    University: BA, University of Toledo

    The Washington Post 1979-81
    The Toledo Blade
    Bloomingdale's counter clerk
    Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing for "Jimmy's World" (1981), voluntarily returned
    Risk Factors: Asthma, Dyslexia

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