That's not the way it happens. This is the way it happens:
IF this turns out to be a hoax- he should be charged for every dime police have invested in investigating the hoax!
That's not the way it happens. This is the way it happens:
If it does turn out to be a hoax, then he’s looking at obstruction of justice by destroying evidence (deleted phone records), lying to investigators and maybe conspiracy if he colluded with anyone.
I don’t think would skate in that case.