When people take their 5th amendment rights, most other people assume guilt.
When an accused does not testify in his own defense, most other people assume guilt.
When a politician refuses to release his financial records, most other people assume guilt.
There are many situations in life where people are assumed guilty by their actions or inactions, although never actually proven.
There are some situations in racing that are similar, such as:
Refusing to allow a teardown.
Making illegal parts that have the same part number as legal parts.
Both will be considered admissions of wrong doing by 98% of the community.
The other 2% are probably friends and family who will believe in the integrity of those challenged.
Pleading innocence in these situations, only serves to put a name and face on the people involved, and probably convinces more people of guilt than of innocence. The way for this to "go away" is to accept public perception, and stop digging the hole. It may take years or decades to fill in, but that will happen naturally over time. Putting down the shovel is the starting point.
BTW ..... I am not opening up PMs on this topic, just as I don't when SCCA politicians PM me with private explanations.