[Article] Solved again...

[-JKP-]

The trouble is that journalists see a universities name, the Dr preface to Gerald and rush to file copy. As far as they care, the university is carrying out all the research into whether or not this is accurate. 
And once the big names have picked up on it, it snowballs across all the outlets.
The real problem lies with the corruption in academic circles that allows the publication of this sort of nonsense in the first place. 
Gerald doesn't care - he's now famous and this will no doubt be a good stepping stone in his career.

I agree that this happens. Fame seems to create its own coat-of-many-colors regardless of whether the wearer is worthy.