John F. Kennedy document hoax

In 1997, documents purported to prove an affair between President John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe, as well as other illicit relationships, were discovered to have been part of an elaborate hoax.[1] Lawrence X. Cusack, known as Lex, had forged the documents under the guise that they had belonged to his father, an attorney who represented Monroe's mother Gladys Baker Eley[2] as well as the Archdiocese of New York.[3]

Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, then finishing work on his book The Dark Side of Camelot, vouched for the authenticity of the documents. The original manuscript of the book included many statements that were sourced by the documents. Before the scandal broke, there were plans for an ABC-backed TV special or film.[4] Certain inconsistencies later raised doubts among ABC investigators. Inconsistencies in the documents included a typeface newer than the dates of the letters, and a ZIP code included before ZIP codes had been instituted. Led by Peter Jennings, ABC employees confronted Cusack with these issues on a live television broadcast. Cusack maintained the documents were authentic. Soon after the telecast ended, Cusack was indicted on fraud charges[5] and was eventually sentenced to 10 years in prison.[6]