If it's not true, she would have ignored it.
Apparently the affadavits are real.
Obviously that does not mean they are credible, but they are a step above mere rumors.
It is not crazy for a newspaper to publish such a story if they made a reasonable effort to verify it.
The lobbyist angle is relevant to the campaign.
A simple denial is unconvincing given the full context.
Imho given all the circumstances banning the reporter is a confession of guilt.