(Is this a new RW tactic?) Someone Is Impersonating a Stranger Reporter and We Don't Know Who It Is

[icymist]

For the last two weeks someone pretending to be Stranger reporter Lester Black has been calling local activists and Democratic party operatives. The person identifies himself as “Lester Black, a reporter for the Stranger,” claims to be working on a convoluted story about antifascists, and then tries to obtain personal information from the subjects, according to people who have been contacted.
Below is a string of texts between this Lester imposter and a local antifacist (who's identity we are not revealing, so as not to make them the subject of further dishonest targeting). In these texts, the Lester imposter claims to be working on a story about a "Ballard Nazi" beset by antifascists.

(Check the link to view the texts) https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2020/01/13/42528740/someone-is-impersonating-a-stranger-reporter-and-we-dont-know-who-it-is

It seems likely that the "Ballard Nazi" referenced in this exchange is Sean-Michael David Scott, identified as a Seattle Proud Boy and neo-Nazi last September by Puget Sound Anarchists. The activist who received these messages provided the phone number these texts came from. The imposter did not respond to multiple calls from me, and the voicemail associated with this number isn't set up. I assume this guy is using a burner or some kind of internet number to make his calls.
Another person this Lester imposter has contacted, David Fleetwood, the first vice chair for the King County Democrats, says the Lester imposter called him twice: once about a week-and-a-half ago, and once last Monday. All told, the two spoke for a total of two hours.

On the first call, Fleetwood said, the fake reporter asked him if there were any connections between antifascist organizers and the Democratic party. He also seemed to be "obsessed" with Rep. Matt Shea, the Spokane Valley Republican who was booted from his party and his committee assignments after a recent investigation revealed him to be a domestic terrorist.

More at the above link.

[getagrip_already]

1. smells like project (not even close to) Veritas

It's the kind of stunt they pull.

[Gothmog]

2. This does smell of O'Keefe

[blm]

3. No doubt. It's their m o

[tanyev]

4. Project Very Dross.

[Hortensis]

8. Umhm. Sounds like a Puget Sound wannabe.

The Stranger seems like a nice and worthwhile free medium, really doesn't deserve this.

[Wellstone ruled]

5. So the Rethug Rat Fers are

back with vengeance. Stone and Bannon taught them well.

[hunter]

6. I'm Captain America. I punch Nazis.

Fake reporter should come to my house.

https://www.themarysue.com/captain-america-smashes-fascists/

[ck4829]

7. This is a very bizarre story indeed. K&R.