We can discuss it until the cows come home, and unless the controller in question comes on here and either fesses up, or makes a convincing denial, we're never going to know for sure.
Personally, I don't think the controller was aware of any "equipment problem" at the time the words were said--he was still trying to reach what he thought was an unresponsive pilot.
The fact is that he made a comment, and what went over the air (and now the internet), was disrespectful to the pilot, contained a profanity, and a gender-specific profanity, while he was attempting to communicate with a pilot of the opposite gender. Rightly or wrongly, that's what he's being judged on, and the unfortunate truth is that the standard of, "if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck..." is going to prevail.
There's a good lesson here for all concerned, on either side of the mic--as someone said above, treat every mic as if it's hot...