Like Red- mentioned, MANY riders are given warnings for the same reason. It's not uncommon at all. Why did people react to Rasmussen's case? Easy answer: spindoctors.
I just watched an interview with the Italian who claims to have seen Rasmussen in Italy. It was very obvious the guy were lying. Like they say, your body language can't hide a lie and this guy was seriously shit at it
Wonder how much he were paid to tell the media that he had seen Rasmussen in Italy.