New York Times admits it got duped by fake terrorist: Executive editor, Dean Baquet, blames 'institutional failure' for making fantasist the star of its 'Caliphate' podcast - but stands by Pulitzer-nominated reporter who was conned by him The New York Times has admitted to an 'institutional failure' in the production of its 2018 podcast 'Caliphate' The podcast centered on the shocking story of 'ISIS executioner' Shehroze Chaudhry, 25, who has since been revealed as a fake He was arrested by Canadian officials in September and charged with 'a hoax regarding terrorist activity' for his lies The Times admitted it released Chaudhry's story without corroborating the facts and fell for his tall tales after widespread failings across the paper