Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Manti Te'o: Hoax Victim or Manipulator?
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: January 18, 2013
Key Contacts
Back
Few sports stories are as inspirational and compelling as the one of Notre Dame linebacker and 2012 Heisman Trophy runner-up Manti Te’o. After learning about the deaths of his grandmother and girlfriend in a six-hour span in September, he still managed to lead his team against the favored Michigan State in a 20-3 victory that very evening. However, the underdog story fell apart when it was revealed by Te’o that the death of his girlfriend was a hoax.
Te’o, who met and carried on an online relationship with his girlfriend, Lennay Kekua, who reportedly died of leukemia, said he received a call from her number in December saying she was not dead. Manti Te’o and his parents reported the situation to the university, which launched its own investigation. Notre Dame released a statement saying Te’o had in fact been duped by a girlfriend he had never met in person, and that “someone using the fictitious name Lennay Kekua apparently ingratiated herself with Manti and then conspired with others to lead him to believe she had tragically died of leukemia.”
However, a number of elements don’t add up, which have led some to believe the hoax may have been a publicity stunt that Te’o himself was involved in. For example, the linebacker asserted that the relationship was strictly online, but his father told the South Bend Tribune that the two met at a football game and vacationed together in Hawaii in 2012. Te’o himself told ESPN that Kekua was “the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met.” Reporters also noted discrepancies in the dates and times of his girlfriend’s “death” in relation to that of his grandmother. Background checks, hospital and university records also reveal that no Lennay Kekua ever existed.
While the controversy may not equate to any sports law violations on the part of the linebacker, some are concerned that the discrepancies and potential involvement in the hoax may impact his credibility among the National Football League.
For more information on the Manti Te’o issue, please contact Anthony Caruso, Chair of Scarinci Hollenbeck’s Sports and Entertainment Law Group.
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
Does Your Homeowners Insurance Provide Adequate Coverage?
Your home is likely your greatest asset, which is why it is so important to adequately protect it. Homeowners insurance protects you from the financial costs of unforeseen losses, such as theft, fire, and natural disasters, by helping you rebuild and replace possessions that were lost While the definition of “adequate” coverage depends upon a […]
Author: Jesse M. Dimitro
Understanding the Importance of a Non-Contingent Offer
Making a non-contingent offer can dramatically increase your chances of securing a real estate transaction, particularly in competitive markets like New York City. However, buyers should understand that waiving contingencies, including those related to financing, or appraisals, also comes with significant risks. Determining your best strategy requires careful analysis of the property, the market, and […]
Author: Jesse M. Dimitro
Fred D. Zemel Appointed Chair of Strategic Planning at Scarinci & Hollenbeck, LLC
Business Transactional Attorney Zemel to Spearhead Strategic Initiatives for Continued Growth and Innovation Little Falls, NJ – February 21, 2025 – Scarinci & Hollenbeck, LLC is pleased to announce that Partner Fred D. Zemel has been named Chair of the firm’s Strategic Planning Committee. In this role, Mr. Zemel will lead the committee in identifying, […]
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Novation Agreement Process: Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses
Big changes sometimes occur during the life cycle of a contract. Cancelling a contract outright can be bad for your reputation and your bottom line. Businesses need to know how to best address a change in circumstances, while also protecting their legal rights. One option is to transfer the “benefits and the burdens” of a […]
Author: Dan Brecher
What Is a Trade Secret? Key Elements and Legal Protections Explained
What is a trade secret and why you you protect them? Technology has made trade secret theft even easier and more prevalent. In fact, businesses lose billions of dollars every year due to trade secret theft committed by employees, competitors, and even foreign governments. But what is a trade secret? And how do you protect […]
Author: Ronald S. Bienstock
What Is Title Insurance? Safeguarding Against Title Defects
If you are considering the purchase of a property, you may wonder — what is title insurance, do I need it, and why do I need it? Even seasoned property owners may question if the added expense and extra paperwork is really necessary, especially considering that people and entities insured by title insurance make fewer […]
Author: Patrick T. Conlon
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Manti Te'o: Hoax Victim or Manipulator?
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Few sports stories are as inspirational and compelling as the one of Notre Dame linebacker and 2012 Heisman Trophy runner-up Manti Te’o. After learning about the deaths of his grandmother and girlfriend in a six-hour span in September, he still managed to lead his team against the favored Michigan State in a 20-3 victory that very evening. However, the underdog story fell apart when it was revealed by Te’o that the death of his girlfriend was a hoax.
Te’o, who met and carried on an online relationship with his girlfriend, Lennay Kekua, who reportedly died of leukemia, said he received a call from her number in December saying she was not dead. Manti Te’o and his parents reported the situation to the university, which launched its own investigation. Notre Dame released a statement saying Te’o had in fact been duped by a girlfriend he had never met in person, and that “someone using the fictitious name Lennay Kekua apparently ingratiated herself with Manti and then conspired with others to lead him to believe she had tragically died of leukemia.”
However, a number of elements don’t add up, which have led some to believe the hoax may have been a publicity stunt that Te’o himself was involved in. For example, the linebacker asserted that the relationship was strictly online, but his father told the South Bend Tribune that the two met at a football game and vacationed together in Hawaii in 2012. Te’o himself told ESPN that Kekua was “the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met.” Reporters also noted discrepancies in the dates and times of his girlfriend’s “death” in relation to that of his grandmother. Background checks, hospital and university records also reveal that no Lennay Kekua ever existed.
While the controversy may not equate to any sports law violations on the part of the linebacker, some are concerned that the discrepancies and potential involvement in the hoax may impact his credibility among the National Football League.
For more information on the Manti Te’o issue, please contact Anthony Caruso, Chair of Scarinci Hollenbeck’s Sports and Entertainment Law Group.