I question it too, being a tabloid paper.
But, do you think the magazine took this risk, thinking Jon and Kate would not have enough money to sue them if it wasn't true? Many celebrities have gone after tabloids and won. Most gave the money to charity. The brothers roommate probably leaked the news, and the tabloid probably twisted the interview to make it look like the brother told everything. I kept wondering why U.S. kept mentioning brothers roommate and that got me thinking, it was probably the roommate and her brother just nodded his head. People will do anything for money, especially if they are out of work.
I also have a comment about Kate keeping her speaking engagements.
They just bought that house. I'm sure Kate has it figured out, how many speaking engagements she needs to do, to pay bills. There is no way, the home they are in, is paid for, plus they still have their other home. If the kids are in a private Christian school, the tuition bill next Fall is going to be very large also.