"This is an allegation that could have destroyed my career had it been substantiated."
Surely the point here is that the allegations are troubling because they could not be substantiated, not despite that. Had they been substantiated, the authors career would indeed have be be destroyed, but the author would deserve no sympathy and Milgram no criticism.
This is a factual statement that does nothing to reinforce sympathies with the author, unless perhaps you don't read it critically. It seems to me to be an emotional appeal.
"This is an allegation that could have destroyed my career had it been substantiated."
Surely the point here is that the allegations are troubling because they could not be substantiated, not despite that. Had they been substantiated, the authors career would indeed have be be destroyed, but the author would deserve no sympathy and Milgram no criticism.
This is a factual statement that does nothing to reinforce sympathies with the author, unless perhaps you don't read it critically. It seems to me to be an emotional appeal.