[afavour]

Usually when there’s an ongoing investigation the default is for police to not release too much information to avoid jeopardising the investigation, then release all the info when the investigation is complete. It’s frustrating and often a principle that’s applied too broadly, but I do understand the reasoning behind it.

[game-of-throws]

I agree they usually withhold details of the case. But I don't think they would flat-out lie about the charges being brought.

[voakbasda]

In the US, government agents absolutely can and do lie during the course of an investigation. This is why you should never ever talk to the police.

[dragonwriter]

> I agree they usually withhold details of the case. But I don't think they would flat-out lie about the charges being brought.

“With suspected ties to X“ isn't necessarily an element of the charges being brought. And the police can and do lie (or state “suspicion” on a very flimsy basis) when making public announcements related to arrests, and headlines often credulously repeat police spin rather than being grounded in facts.

While this tends to get the most attention (and still then not enough for the press to change) around police spin and media coverage related to police shootings, it is true far beyond that.

[lesuorac]

> But I don't think they would flat-out lie about the charges being brought.

I dunno, there's a pretty big trend going on right now of producing tv shows / prodcasts about how ineffective (with a strong hint of incompentence) cops can be.