I prefer third party verification.
If it's a scam, I already know what the company's going to tell me. Are you relying solely on the company? If you've got some third party verification, please post it.
Why do you consider the article dubious? Chronology certainly wouldn't have anything to do with whether it's dubious or not. If I say, "I married Heidi Klum! I married Heidi Klum!" And then she denies it, that doesn't make her denial dubious simply because it came after my claims.
Of course, I could make up enless stories:
"She just doesn't want it leaked to the press."
"Her management company didn't want anyone to know."
On and on.
-If you've got some 3rd party verification, please post it.