Jayson Blair, the disgraced reporter for the New York Times who resigned in the wake of plagiarism and fraud allegations, is now being investigated for possible violations of the law, according to CNN.

Jayson Blair (New York Times photo)

"We never confirm or deny the existence of any investigation," a spokesman for United States Attorney James Comey told the cable network.

But Lena Williams, a New York Times reporter and representative of the newspaper's union, said Blair had told her through an intermediary he was seeking legal help.

"The New York Times has received a request for information from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York," the newspaper said in a statement.

"We understand that the office is attempting to determine whether Jayson Blair's reporting conduct violated the law."

According to CNN, the Times said it did not request an investigation but would cooperate with an inquiry.

Over the weekend, the Times published a massive expose about Blair, detailing faked stories and quotes, citing material plagiarized from other publications and phony expense reports to make it look like he was traveling when he was actually at his Brooklyn home.

As WorldNetDaily reported this week, the push for diversity in the newsroom may have played a role in the newspaper's scandal.

Meanwhile, an internal Times e-mail obtained by the Drudge Report indicates the newspaper planning a special meeting Wednesday to deal with the turmoil created by the admission of fraudulent news it had been publishing:

Howell, Gerald and Arthur request that you join your newsroom colleagues at an open forum at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, to discuss the Jayson Blair matter and anything else you might have on your mind. The meeting will be held at the Loew's Astor Theater, the moviehouse just behind The Times on 44th Street at Broadway, across from Carmine's. Doors open at 2:15 p.m.

Please be sure to bring your Times i.d. card. No one will be admitted to the theater without their Times i.d.

You will be able to ask questions from the floor, or write them on cards that will be distributed at the door. In addition, we have set up an email address – forum@nytimes.com – where you can send questions, either in advance of the session or afterward.

On Wednesday morning, we will send out a separate email advising correspondents and bureaus outside New York how they may dial into the forum and listen to the session. Unfortunately, because of the short time available to set up the forum, people listening from a remote location will not be able to ask live questions. You may, however, avail yourself of the email address above. If you get questions to us before 2 p.m. EDT tomorrow, we will put them into the hopper. Otherwise, they will be answered later.

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