Truth falsified: Memoirs faked for...what?

This is the third article I have seen in the New York Times about some previously unknown writer falsifying his or her "true" story.

What the fuck?

These people have had some legitimately good stories that had elements of truth, but were on the whole fiction. If, as I see it, the message is more important than the facts, sell it as fiction and be done! That way the message gets through without the taint of author greed and duped publishers and promoters like Oprah.

What I don't understand is why? The truth will eventually out—why go there in the first place?

Besides, the student side of me shudders at the idea of plagiarism.

For more, visit: "A Lineup of Recent Literary Fakers" by Mokoto Rich.