Dr. Phil to interview alleged girlfriend hoaxer

Published 3:53 pm Friday, January 25, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — Dr. Phil McGraw has booked the first on-camera interview with the man who allegedly concocted the girlfriend hoax that ensnared Notre Dame football star Manti Te’o.

A “Dr. Phil Show” spokesperson confirmed on Friday the interview with Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, the man accused of creating an online persona of a nonexistent woman who Te’o said he fell for without ever meeting face-to-face.

The ruse was uncovered last week by Deadspin.com, which reported that Tuiasosopo created the woman, named Lennay Kekua, who then supposedly died last September.

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No further details of the “Dr. Phil” interview, including its airdate, were announced.

This interview follows the first on-camera interview with Te’o conducted this week by Katie Couric.””

Former Notrre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o. (Associated Press)

Ryan Jones