Fact Check: Erik Fleming Pleaded Guilty and is Cooperating with Prosecutors in Matthew Perry's Death
What We Know
The claim states that Erik Fleming, a friend of Matthew Perry, has pleaded guilty and is cooperating with prosecutors regarding Perry's death. According to multiple sources, Erik Fleming has indeed pleaded guilty to charges related to the distribution of ketamine that resulted in Perry's death. Specifically, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death (source-1, source-4).
Fleming admitted in court documents that he distributed the ketamine that killed Perry and acknowledged obtaining it from another defendant, Jasveen Sangha. He also confessed to distributing 50 vials of ketamine to Perry's personal assistant shortly before Perry's death (source-1).
Analysis
While it is accurate that Erik Fleming has pleaded guilty and is cooperating with prosecutors, the claim that he is a "friend" of Matthew Perry might be misleading. The term "friend" could imply a closer personal relationship than what is substantiated in the available reports. Fleming acted as a middleman in the distribution of ketamine but was not described as a close personal friend in the legal documents or news reports (source-2, source-3).
The sources reporting on this matter, including major news outlets like The Washington Post and The New York Times, are generally considered reliable. They provide detailed accounts of the legal proceedings and the roles of various defendants in the case, including Fleming's involvement. However, it is essential to note that the framing of relationships can vary between sources, and the term "friend" might not accurately reflect the nature of Fleming's connection to Perry.
Conclusion
The claim that Erik Fleming has pleaded guilty and is cooperating with prosecutors is True. However, the characterization of Fleming as a "friend" of Matthew Perry may not fully capture the nature of their relationship, as he is primarily described as a middleman in the distribution of drugs. Therefore, while the core of the claim is accurate, the implications regarding their personal relationship may be overstated.
Sources
- Five Defendants, Including Two Doctors, Charged in Connection with Actor Matthew Perry’s Fatal Drug Overdose Last Year. Justice.gov
- Doctor who supplied ketamine to Matthew Perry and called him a "moron" will plead guilty. Washington Post
- Doctor Who Gave Matthew Perry Ketamine Will Plead Guilty, U.S. Says. New York Times
- Doctor who supplied ketamine to Matthew Perry will plead guilty. PBS NewsHour
