“It’s highly inaccurate,” said Hayworth, whom The Daily Caller briefly reached on his cell phone Monday afternoon. Hayworth, a former congressman who lost to Republican Sen. John McCain in the Arizona primary this summer, did not elaborate on the piece, instead promising to call back at a later time.

A former aide to Hayworth’s campaign did say Monday that Hayworth has been involved with several Tea Party groups since losing the primary.

The original story, which ran in The Hill, appeared dubious from the beginning: “The Tea Party is expected to announce that former Rep. JD Hayworth (R-Ariz.) will become a national spokesperson for the movement, a source close to the matter told The Hill.” Hayworth was not quoted in the story.