What is The Smoking Gun?

Short Answer:

  1. The Smoking Gun is a website that posts legal documents in the public record
  2. The name refers to the metaphorical "smoking gun," providing damning evidence against a suspect
  3. In 2000, the site was purchased by Court TV
  4. Typical posts include arrest records, mug shots or court documents

Slightly Longer Answer:

  • A regular feature, "Backstage Pass", publishes celebrity "rider" contracts, listing extravagant demands made for public appearances
  • In January of 2006, The Smoking Gun broke the news that author James Frey fabricated portions of his memoir, A Million Little Pieces.
  • The site was founded in April 1997 by former Village Voice reporters William Bastone and Daniel Green.