Accusations of Sexual Misconduct Against Roy Moore Throw Senate Race Into Turmoil
Just when former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore seemed headed for victory in the Dec. 12 special U.S. Senate election, an accusation that he had inappropriate sexual contact nearly four decades ago with a girl who was 14 has thrown the race into turmoil. In a bombshell story published Thursday, The Washington Post reported allegations by Leigh Corfman that she went out with Moore and they had inappropriate sexual contact when she was 14 and he was 32. Three other women also told the Post that Moore approached them for dates when they were between 16 and 18 and he was in his early 30s, but their contact with the man who later became chief justice of Alabama never went beyond kissing. Moore’s campaign in a response attributed to campaign chairman Bill Armistead said, “Judge Roy Moore has endured the most outlandish attacks on any candidate in the modern political arena, but this story in today’s Washington Post alleging sexual impropriety takes the cake. National liberal organizations know their chosen candidate Doug Jones is in a death spiral, and this is their last ditch Hail Mary.” The accusations call into question whether Moore, who defeated incumbent Sen. Luther Strange in a Republican primary runoff in October, can continue in his election battle with Jones. After the Post story broke, numerous members of the Senate, including Alabama’s Richard Shelby, called on Moore to step aside as the GOP nominee if the charges were true. One senator didn’t bother with the “if true” caveat; John McCain, R-Arizona, in a tweet called the accusations “disqualifying.” Read more. Read full coverage on the story: Woman Says Roy Moore Initiated Sexual Encounter When She Was 14, He Was 32 (Washington Post) Mitch McConnell Calls on Roy Moore to Exit Alabama Senate Race ‘If These Allegations Are True’ (Washington Post) Why Evangelical Voters Are Unlikely to Bail on Roy Moore (Washington Post) Several Alabama Republicans Defend Moore But Others Cautious; His Name to Stay on Ballot (Decatur Daily) Kay Ivey, Other Alabama Leaders, Weigh in on 'Deeply Disturbing' Roy Moore Allegations (AL.com) Roy Moore Says 'Forces of Evil' Behind Report of Sexual Contact With 14-year-old (Fox News) Moore Accuser's Attorney: "I'm Sure She Was Scared to Death" to Report Sexual Encounter (AL.com) ‘Bizarre’ Responses From Alabama GOP Officials on Roy Moore's Alleged Sexual Encounters (Business Insider)
