Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh has asked an accused child molester running for Senate in Alabama for his money back.
Schuh donated $1,000 to Roy Moore’s campaign in September, weeks before Moore defeated incumbent Alabama Sen. Luther Strange in a runoff primary, the progressive Arundel Patriot blog reported on Monday. A search of the Federal Election Commission’s donor database says the donation went through on Sept. 8.
But according to the Capital Gazette, the Anne Arundel County Republican sent Moore’s chief of staff an email on Monday – the same day the Arundel Patriot’s report ran – asking for a refund. Schuh told the paper his request wasn’t related to the news of his donation.
“My contribution was in connection to the Severna Park fundraiser a few months ago, before I found out he was a creeper,” Schuh was quoted as saying. “Since the time that became clear, I have asked for my money back.”
Moore, a 70-year-old former chief justice for the State of Alabama, is facing allegations that he sexually assaulted two teenagers and pursued relationships with other teenage girls when he was in his thirties. The Washington Post broke the story last month.
But somehow, he’s weathered the accusations and remained a contender for the Senate seat vacated by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was appointed to his Cabinet position by President Donald Trump. Trump himself endorsed Moore’s campaign earlier this week. Moore also appears to be leading his Democratic challenger, Doug Jones, in the polls.
Schuh reportedly said Moore should back out of the race in light of the allegations, joining a number of Maryland Republicans who have done the same. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has labeled him “unfit for office,” and former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who previously served as Maryland’s lieutenant governor, has criticized the president for backing him.
Schuh wrote in his email to Moore’s campaign that the allegations are “extremely concerning” and “both numerous and credible.” The Capital Gazette says he hasn’t gotten his money back.
Other local donors to Moore’s campaign include tea party Republican Rep. Andy Harris and Anne Arundel County Councilman Michael Peroutka, known for his previous pro-secessionist leanings and appearances at white supremacist rallies.
Harris gave $1,000 to Moore’s campaign on Sept. 14, while Peroutka donated $2,500 on June 9 and another $2,000 earlier this month, according to FEC records. His wife, Natalie, has contributed an additional $5,000.
I was really upset to see your byline about the “accused child molester”– all I have seen is unsubstantiated attacks on many people. In America, we are innocent until proven guilty, unlike in England, where you are guilty till proven innocent. I also find it interesting that these women, like those who attacked Trump, just go away after whichever election they are now making the accusation. Let’s see, with women treated as sex objects in all the advertising; when corporations still do not promote women to the Board room, and pay women less; when wars are waged with the rape of women and children,,,when 80% of men admit to watching porn, which is totally abusive towards women,,,you can look in your own yard, and count the majority of men around you as violators of women in some way. So tired of the media using misleading titles and half researched articles to defeat conservatives and promote a liberal, socialist agenda.
Hi Starr3214, here’s a definition of the word “accuse” from Merriam-Webster: “to charge with a fault or offense.” Eight women have come forward with allegations that Roy Moore behaved inappropriately toward them in a sexual way. Six of them were underage at the time, they said.
“Innocent until proven guilty” is indeed the system we live by in America. No one has said Roy Moore is guilty — not on this website, anyway. “Guilty” would imply that was said he is a child molester. “Accused” would imply that he has been accused of sexual misconduct, but not found guilty in court. We used the latter phrasing.
Thanks for reading.