The Associated Press’ defamatory article attacking Ohio Senate hopeful Bernie Moreno continues to unravel as more components of the hit job are uncovered.
AP ran the original piece On Thursday, an attempt was made to link Moreno to a 2008 profile on a casual sexual encounter website called Adult Friend Finder. But as Breitbart News reported, the Associated Press withheld key evidence that debunked the salacious allegations in its article and further undermined the article’s legitimacy.
Now, additional information has emerged that invalidates The Associated Press’ claims that it used geolocation data to support vague claims.According to another Associated Press Story Description of the original publication:
In addition to a work email, the profile lists Moreno’s exact date of birth and geolocation data indicates the account was set up for use in parts of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. property records show Moreno’s parents owned the home at the time. The account’s username — nardo19672 — appears to refer to Moreno’s full name, Bernardo, and his birth year and month of February 1967.
But the Adult Friend Finder founder, who claims he wrote most of the website’s early code, said on Saturday that no such geolocation data exists.
“An Associated Press report that available data proves the account was created in Florida is inaccurate because location information was entered manually during the registration process.” Mr. Conrue Posted “There is actually no location data associated with your account.”
As the founder and author of much of the initial code for Adult Friend Finder, I would like to make a short statement regarding Ohio Senate candidate Bernie Moreno’s alleged involvement with the site in 2008. think.
After reviewing all available information, the account…
— Andrew Conru (@andrewconru) March 16, 2024
The original AP article stated:[q]Questions about the profile have been floating around Republican circles for the past month. ” However, there was no explanation as to why other news outlets did not run the article at this time, amid the increasingly heated debate in the Senate.
The AP’s decision to publish the flimsy allegations has drawn criticism from journalists as well.mike bryce toledo news Said “Claiming geographic data when it doesn’t exist is yet another misfortune for journalism,” the Associated Press said, adding that the new information “seems to clear the air” on Moreno. said.
Looks like it can be cleared now @berniemoreno And wow, @AP_Politics Claiming geographic data when it doesn’t exist is another journalistic disaster. https://t.co/kFOginAslR
— Mike Brice (@MikeBrice) March 16, 2024
Moreno is statement On Saturday, he spoke of a “sneaky hit job that has now been revealed as a lie” and accused his opponent Matt Dolan of spreading the despicable allegations. “As they always do, Matt Dolan and his allies took their cue from the liberal media and repeated this heinous slur,” Moreno said.
My wife Bridget Moreno’s statement about the vile attacks on our family by the liberal media and Matt Dolan and his allies has been debunked. pic.twitter.com/eNqTKRm0Bo
— Bernie Moreno (@berniemoreno) March 16, 2024
The statement included quotes from his wife, Bridget Moreno, further attacking Dolan. “For him to stoop this low just because he lost this race is disgusting and shameful and he should be ashamed,” she said. “If he’s willing to slander my husband just to win a political election, he doesn’t deserve to hold public office.”
She continued:
His desperate attempt will backfire, and I have full confidence that the people of Ohio will see through his dirty tricks and elect a true conservative to the United States Senate. Now that this story has been proven to be 100% false, if there’s any integrity left in Matt, he’s convinced that this slime came from a super PAC funded by his family. He will publicly deny something.
The site’s founder suggests that it’s very likely Moreno was actually the victim of a prank. https://t.co/GUsThDj3AX
— Liz Skalka (@lizskalka) March 16, 2024
Former President Donald Trump, who supports Mr. Moreno, spearheaded his trademark rally in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday.
Bradley Jay is Breitbart News’ Capitol Hill correspondent. Follow him on X/Twitter. @BradleyAJay.
