In order to be tampering, the "statement of interest" would have to emanate from the organization not from Barney Jacksoff's source, who likely has no real connection to UM.
Unfortunately, it doesn't have to be "newsworthy" in today's trash era of media. Just spew some scandalous **** that gets clicks, and you're doing your scumbag job.
Barney Jacksoff is a ****, but there's no allegation of tampering there whatsoever. He was loose and stupid with his words, and I'd freeze him out if I was UM. But he didn't allege any form of tampering whatsoever.