Yes, it really was. The FBI investigated and found as much.
https://www.denverpost.com/2016/09/03/fbi-report-platte-rive...
https://www.denverpost.com/2016/09/03/fbi-report-platte-rive...
In other words, crimes were probably committed but the FBI dropped the investigation because they figured that no prosecutor would file charges in the case.