The correct answer to this open question is the following.
I think that something similar could happen in today's world.
Wisconsin Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy initiated the persecution of Communists inside the federal government of the United States as well as, supposedly, in the military. Senator McCarthy accused but never presented real proof. That is why in the end, nobody believed him, but he had affected the reputation of many people inside the US government.
Those were the years of the Red Scare during the Cold War.
My example is the following.
Today, there have been accusations of wrongdoings in US politics. One congressman accuses the other of wrongdoing. But more than facts, they only voice their opinions. It is more a political battle trying to taint or affect the reputation of one candidate. legislator or official, that having the facts to formally accuse them
It is more a political rivalry between factions.