As Media Matters for America has documented, Jennings' attorney wrote in a 2004 letter that the student in question 16 years old at the time of his conversation with Jennings, which is -- and was at the time -- the legal age of consent in Massachusetts, while Jennings' book suggests that the student had been 16 or 17. Jennings' attorney also wrote in the letter that Jennings' book does not indicate he had reason to believe that the student was being abused.
Previously:
Right-wing caricatures of Jennings undercut by broad support he has received
Mike Allen runs with Fox News' smear, suggests Jennings broke the law
Despite evidence to contrary, Fox News machine claims Jennings “cover[ed] up statutory rape”