Yes I believe you stated this in the other thread about the subject. Despite Sharpton's angry words, however, I find that he has done a fair amount of good, especially in the black community, and at the time was truly dedicated to helping the disenfranchised. I see very little evidence through his career that he took up issues as a way of boosting his own name.
I like Sharpton, he smart, takes brave moral positions, is extremely funny and combines compassion and reason in his analysis of public policy. He pushed this episode way past the point of fiasco. I'd say that it's the great stain on his name. I think he probably went into it believing her and didn't have the courage to lose face and leave the girl to the wolves after he realized the whole thing was made up. Sin of pride perhaps.