U.S. Chamber wants criminal investigation into fake press release

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said Monday that it will ask law enforcement officials to investigate a fake press release sent out in the group's name.

The business group condemned the phony release, which claimed the group had shifted its stance on climate change legislation, as "irresponsible and foolish."

“We will be asking law enforcement authorities to investigate this event," said Thomas J. Collamore, the Chamber's senior vice president for communications and strategy.

"Public relations hoaxes undermine the genuine effort to find solutions on the challenge of climate change," he added.

The release was fabricated by the activist group Yes Men, according to TalkingPointsMemo, and was initially reported by Reuters this morning.

"These irresponsible tactics are a foolish distraction from the serious effort by our nation to reduce greenhouse gases," Collamore said. "The U.S. Chamber believes that strong climate legislation is compatible with the goals of improving our economy and creating jobs."

The hoax comes after the Chamber had lost membership from some high-profile businesses in the wake of its opposition to climate change bills before Congress. The Obama administration and congressional Democrats have rolled out a new strategy to mitigate the business lobby's efforts.

Collamore said that the group would continue to push its priorites amid any investigation into the fake release.

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