Taking the professor at the word that it's those graduate students' fault (who very conveniently can't defend themselves and haven't been at the University sinc

Taking the professor at the word that it's those graduate students' fault (who very conveniently can't defend themselves and haven't been at the University since 2020) and not the fault of the professor is a bit strange. It might after all be their fault, but it could have easily been some manipulation done or demanded by the PI who wanted a publication. What I'm trying to say is, I'm not willing to take the professor at their word here when their word is so extremely convenient for them.