In the heat of the Ohio Republican Senate race, Bernie Moreno, a candidate, finds himself at the center of a controversy. A recent report has brought to light a possible connection between Moreno’s personal details and a profile on a casual sex solicitation website, stirring up the GOP primary battle against Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.
The story, first broken by The Associated Press on Thursday, delves into records and a data breach at the Adult Friend Finder website. It reveals that a profile created in 2008 was linked to Moreno. The account used Moreno’s email address, a username that hinted at his first name and birth year, and was registered in a Fort Lauderdale, Florida area. This area is notably where Moreno’s parents had a home at the time.
The profile, which was active for just a few hours in 2008, explicitly sought “Men for 1-on-1 sex.”
Moreno’s lawyer has firmly stated that Moreno did not create the account. An intern has come forward, claiming responsibility for the account, describing it as a joke.
Moreno, a prominent Ohio businessman, has made his stance against certain LGBTQ+ rights, especially concerning transgender individuals, a key part of his campaign. He accuses his opponents of supporting a “radical trans agenda.” Despite this, Moreno has previously expressed support for gay marriage and non-discrimination against gay people.
In response to the report, Moreno’s attorney shared a statement from a former intern, labeling the Adult Friend Finder profile as a “juvenile prank.” Additionally, a former executive at Moreno’s company, through Moreno’s attorney, stated that the intern had access to Moreno’s email as part of his job responsibilities.
While The AP could not definitively prove Moreno himself set up the account, the story has raised eyebrows among conservatives.
Moreno has hit back, criticizing “the liberal media” and “vile attacks on our family.” In a statement, his wife, Bridget Moreno, condemned the political ads referencing the AP article, particularly targeting state Sen. Matt Dolan, a primary opponent. She expressed confidence that Ohioans would elect a true conservative to the U.S. Senate, dismissing the story as “100% false.”
On the campaign trail, Moreno rallied in Dayton, Ohio, with former President Donald Trump and other supporters. The primary race, neck-and-neck according to polls, is a precursor to a closely watched general election against Brown, with the Senate’s control at stake.
At the rally, Trump, without evidence, accused Democrats of orchestrating the scrutiny against Moreno. Other Republican figures echoed this sentiment, portraying Moreno as a target of a broader campaign against conservatives.
As the primary approaches, the support for Moreno underscores a rallying cry among his allies to counter what they perceive as unfounded attacks, emphasizing his commitment to the voters over political adversaries.