ABC's Chief Investigative Reporter Brian Ross learned the hard way that facts matter. 

ABC News has suspended Ross for 4 weeks without pay over a botched "exclusive" about former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Ross' suspension is effective immediately. ABC News spokeswoman Heather Riley would not comment on whether anyone else had been suspended in connection with the error.

During a live "special report" Friday morning, Ross reported that Flynn would testify that Donald Trump had ordered him to make contact with Russians about foreign policy while Trump was still a candidate. The report raised the specter of Trump's impeachment and sent the stock market plummeting.

ABC News released this statement after Ross's report: 

Last night Ross sent out an email saying that he agreed with his suspension. 

The suspension will last 4 weeks, the hit his credibility will likely last much longer. 

H/T Fox News