State Police charge news anchor with making up stalker story

ERIE, Pa. (WJAC) — A news anchor and reporter told state police she had become the target of a stalker who progressed from text messages and phone calls to a handwritten note that was slid under her apartment door and sending flowers to her office at the television station.

But Pennsylvania State Police now believe it was all fabricated.

Haley Potter, 24, of WICU-TV/WSEE-TV in Erie, faces felony and other criminal charges as a result of months worth of tales, according to Erie Times-News.

Potter had told police the stalking began in February and became sexual in nature, according to the affidavit in the case obtained by Erie Times-News. She also said the alleged stalker had obtained her debit card and charged her for a hotel room.

State Police determined that an IP address allegedly used to hack her social media accounts and message her boyfriend was the same IP address as Potter's cell phone.

Potter, according to the affidavit, "admitted to fabricating the stalker and being the person responsible for all of the messages/phone calls and fraudulent activity," when she was interrogated about the discrepancies.

Her attorney said they reject the allegations, "wholeheartedly and intend to vigorously defend her against them."

The station's news director told the Times that they were aware of the charges but corporate policy would not allow him to comment about personnel issues or pending legal matters. Potter's biography said she joined the station in 2020 after graduating from Slippery Rock University, where she had been the university's Homecoming Queen.

A preliminary hearing has been set for July 28, according to court records.

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