American Notes: Hoaxes

In December, Spy magazine publisher Gerald Taylor telephoned John Sununu, who had been ousted as White House chief of staff and was looking for a job. Posing as a headhunter for a FORTUNE 200 energy company, Taylor dangled a position with a salary in the "low seven figures." For 13 minutes, the two conversed about the way Sununu's search for employment was going. "Most of what I've been putting together as packages start at $3.5 million," said Sununu, who added that he expected to garner another "couple of million dollars in six months" from speaking engagements.

Spy's publisher also took Sununu through a quickie job interview. What did his subordinates think of him as a boss? "Contrary to what the press has said, they'd say this is the smoothest-running White House they've ever had," boasted Sununu. Would he mind traveling? "No, no," said Sununu, who came under fire for using government planes for personal business. Sununu's later reaction to the scam: "I didn't think I got hoaxed. I believe people." No word yet as to his real future employer's identity.