So after reading the article, it got me to thinking. In the accompanying piece, ProPublica talked about multiple sources including those that had not been quoted in the story. Which brings me to my potential theory and a question.
Why would ProPublica post the article today? I don't believe in coincidences. If someone had come to them within IBM saying that RAs were to happen tomorrow or Monday or Tuesday next week, today would have been the time to publish the article. That said, IBM hates bad press. My theory/question would be did this article get published to back IBM off an eminent RA. It would look REAL bad to have an RA right after a long piece published about that same issue.
Whether imagined or real ProPublica - thanks.