No
I would have removed a HC misquote in the same way.
Whether or not it should have been removed is debatable but in my own mind there is no question that I would have treated your scenario the same if I were aware of the true quote.
The debatable points are whether or not the paraphrase was significantly different and whether or not my conservative bent influenced my decision.
The answer to point one is, imo, yes and the answer to point 2 is regretfully, perhaps it will perceived that way.