The Times Picayune reported that a group of journalists later huddled around the fake HUD officials - the H&K imposter posed as the HUD officials' press secretary - asking questions about the policy reversal. Some news organizations sent out breaking news alerts before learning it was a fake.

This was part of an ongoing effort by the The Yes Men. The group practices what they call "identity correction". They pretend to be powerful people and spokespersons for prominent organizations, accepting invitations to appear at various symposiums and TV shows. They use that platform then to express their belief that corporations and governmental organizations often act in dehumanizing ways toward the public. The Yes Men have posed as spokespeople for organizations such as The WTO, Halliburton, McDonald's and Dow Chemical.

According to our sources, Hill and Knowlton learned of the ruse from federal officials. Gene Reineke, COO for H&K U.S. said, "These hoaxers have absolutely no connection to our firm."

EDITOR'S NOTE

We are not yet sure how Reineke was able to conclude that the impostors were not actually staffers. Word is that Reineke would probably like to hire those guys.