From Luke Is Back

I Retract The Playboy Buying AVN Story And I Apologize To AVN, Paul Fishbein, And To AVN's Employees

A few weeks ago, without giving Paul Fishbein adequate time to respond, I published a story that Playboy was buying AVN.

I had four separate sources telling me this, including two sources who have been giving me accurate information for a long time.

When AVN stoutly denied the story, my sources stood by it. So did I until now.

Now, based on everything I know, I conclude I was wrong about Playboy buying AVN.

In my writing on Playboy buying AVN, I included the shot: "AVN's employees will be the last to know."

I apologize to AVN's employees for making them fear for their jobs.

***

Fair enough, Luke. It's a damn shame you weren't on the money, but it takes a big man to admit his error. You have gone up a notch in my estimation once again. Please do not make a habit of it.

What happened between AVN "stoutly" denying the story and Mr. Luke deciding not to stand by it no more, based on everything him knows? What did him learn and how and from who and where? Inquiring minds want to know.

I guess Luke has to retract everything on his website then.

Ford is smarter than this...I see this as a move to nullify the ammunition he has given AVNers over this story so they can no longer use it to bash him ('Yes, I was wrong, and I publicly apologised for it').

This, of course, effectively clears the slate and puts the ball back into AVN's court for when Luke drops the bomb that is 'The Ramone Tape'. He's now apologised for the Playboy story, so they can't use that to bash him or will appear churlish. Their only other recourse will be to have Ramone publicly apologise, or to pass no comment on the story.

Boy, I hope Luke secures a copy of that answerphone message....