Desc Jockey,
Sorry to see you geting so frustrated about the Washington Post. I make no comment on the question of compensation because I don't have the knowledge. However the Washington Post is a respected journal close the Adminstration and there is little doubt that their report will be accurate.
You should realise that our "Allies" in the US consider the European Union a threat to their World Leadership and therefore take every opportunity to take a swipe at Europe.