To publish or not to publish

I wouldn't publish this story because there isn't adequate proof that the accusation is warranted. The reporter has a unanimous source which could be reliable or not. But I would press the reporter to look further into the issue and look for a source that maybe would be willing to give their name. That way if this accusation is true, it would look more legitimate in print, and defend the publication and the reporter from law suits. A story this huge, one that could ruin the reputation of the senator very easily, should not be printed if there is even a chance that it is false.