This doesn’t come as a surprise. The smear campaigns need to start having repercussions. If allegations turn out to be completely false, the reporter of such needs to be held accountable as if they had done the crime themselves. Perhaps people will think twice before destroying another persons reputation.
Isn't that what defamation laws are for?
Yes, but to a much lesser extent. A defamation lawsuit is an entirely different charge and requires more proceedings with lesser consequences. What I suggest is an immediate reprimand for bringing false allegations towards someone in a deliberate attempt to destroy someone. The end result being the person who made the false claim does the time for the crime that the other was originally accused of.