Politicians from both sides of the political spectrum lobbied to have their performances banned, citing rumors that the shows contained animal sacrifices, bestiality, and rape.

In the first version of the song's second verse Evans name-checked radio personality Wendy Williams and cited old rumors about a romance with Tupac Shakur.

At the same time, the D.E.A., citing rumors to the contrary, has insisted that the student-athletes and coaches are not the targets of the inquiry.

"Police have better things to do," he says, citing rumors that the law will be widely ignored, "than give someone a ticket for smoking in a bar."

In 2004 the company refused to pay $5 million of $10 million won by Armstrong, citing rumors of performance-enhancing drugs.

The story cited rumors from highly placed sources suggesting Stafford might have been picked up by a hopper from the Polar Station.

Cook cited rumors that over 200,000 recordings were awaiting translation from Arabic to Hebrew to prepare for his trial.

She cited rumors of him having "illegal contacts," and said that Brahmins received preferential treatment at the school and the monastery.

The column cited "rumors" suggesting that Mr. Politi's contribution to the book had been greater than that of Mr. Bernstein.

Some analysts cited rumors that a leading brokerage house was about to recommend a change in its "asset allocation," raising its recommended share of stocks.