If a story is published online and then pulled, did it actually happen? Since nothing is ever really gone on the Internet, the answer is yes. Last week, Gawker posted a story about a high-ranking member of the media who hired a male escort. An avalanche of outrage came from people who think that outing someone who is not a public figure is mean-spirited and malicious. After a few hours, the story disappeared and the founder and managing editor of Gawker apologized: “The media environment has changed, our readers have changed, and I have changed. Not only is criticism of yesterday’s piece from readers intense, but much of what they’ve said has resonated.”

One of the main complaints was that the report identified the guy paying for the hooker, but protected the identity of the hooker himself! So let me rectify the situation. The media guy in question is allegedly the very dashing David Geithner, who is not only CFO of Condé Nast, but also the brother of former Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. David allegedly hired hooker Brodie Sinclair (aka Leif Derek Truitt) to have sex for 2-3 hours at a negotiated rate of $2,500. So far, I have no problem with this story – except that Geithner is married to a woman and has kids (which also isn’t my problem). Brodie/Leif didn’t know David’s last name or anything about him. The deal was that Geithner would send Brodie/Leif half the money in cash via FedEx, and that’s how his identity was discovered. Brodie/Leif e-mailed Geithner some documents about a discrimination lawsuit he filed against his former landlord, who he claimed evicted him because he’s a porn star. The landlord says the eviction was because the tenant had an “emotional assistance dog” since he’s a veteran with PTSD. I couldn’t make this stuff up!

Geithner wasn’t sure why he was sent this information. Brodie/Leif revealed that he knew Geithner’s identity and hoped he could use his connections to help. Suddenly Geithner’s flight was delayed and then cancelled. He apologized, paid for Brodie/Leif’s hotel room, and promised to send him the balance of the negotiated rate. Well, hell hath no fury like a hooker scorned. Brodie/Leif contacted Gawker, shared his story, and sent them copies of the texts and e-mails. Gawker, doing due diligence, contacted Geithner to corroborate. He then texted Brodie/Leif saying, “Can you call as soon as possible? I spoke with a reporter who says you sent him something?”

Of course, this could all be a lie. The only one confirming this story is the hooker. Geithner denies that any of this is true: “I don’t know who this individual is. This is a shakedown. I have never had a text exchange with this individual. He clearly has an ulterior motive that has nothing to do with me.”