Finally dawns on me. That damn “allegedly” used in news accounts so as not to pre-judge the individual or prejudice the case? As in this story?
Just a week after Harvard University chemistry chairman Charles Lieber was indicted for allegedly lying about his ties to China, specifically a technology university in the heart of coronavirus hub city Wuhan, court records allege that another professor lied about ties to China.
Problem is, the word, here an adverb, goes too far, or doesn’t say enough. There had to be more than something being alleged, of course, as indeed there was.
Instead say this: indicted “on charges of” or “on the charge of” whatever. It’s more accurate and not much longer.
Think about it, all you copy editors out there.
Blithe Spirit 