It may be that the NYT is trying to focus attention on Harper because it knows there is a lot more to see than just Harper.
Yes, the NYT is complicit. I am sure that there are things related to this that none of them want uncovered.
So they sacrifice an element to hide a lot more.
Problem is, with the truth all the pieces fit. They never fit with lies.
So the more exposure, the more it leads to exposure.