I wouldn't consider it a bashing... skepticism is warranted.
And I don't think anyone really thinks he's lying.
But Ministro - I do think it's very very bad form what went down here. You didn't just say "I heard that..." You said "F Jim, he is the reason Ray isn't in Redemption." That's just not cool. If you're going to say that, then back it up. "X told me A, B, and C when I interviewed him on this date..." And even then it's still not really cool because it was off the record, but it would still be better than saying Ray had to choose, it's all Jim's fault, but you can't say more because it was off the record. Um? Then don't say anything at all and truly honor it being "off the record."