Republican candidate accused of abusing teen denies sexual misconduct
Washington, (MILLAT ONLINE):A Republican Senate candidate reported to have sexually abused a 14-year-old girl lashed out at his accusers Friday, calling their allegations a “dangerous lie”.
Roy Moore — a former state judge and Christian evangelical whose defense of a Ten Commandments display brought him national attention — added he had “never engaged in sexual misconduct.”
The issue has reverberated through Washington weeks ahead of a crucial Senate election in which the conservative Republican party is hoping to hold on to its slim 52-48 seat majority.
Four women, speaking on the record, told The Washington Post that Moore pursued them when they were 18 or younger, while he was in his early thirties working as an assistant district attorney.
– Republicans divided –
Earlier, President Donald Trump issued a statement that appeared to equivocate on the matter, saying Moore should step aside if the claims proved true, while adding that a mere allegation should not destroy the Alabama politician’s life.
“Like most Americans the president believes we cannot allow a mere allegation, in this case one from many years ago, to destroy a person’s life,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said aboard Air Force One, before the president landed in Vietnam for a summit.
“However, the president also believes that if these allegations are true, Judge Moore will do the right thing and step aside,” she said.