An Alabama state auditor brushed off allegations Roy Moore, the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, initiated a past sexual encounter with a 14-year-old, by referring to the Bible.
The Washington Post reported Thursday, Moore, then 32, first approached 14-year-old Leigh Corfman in early 1979 outside an Alabama courtroom. After phone calls and meetings, he drove her to his home some days later and kissed her, the Post quoted Corfman as saying.
On a second visit, he took off her shirt and pants and removed his clothes except for his underwear before touching her over her bra and underpants, Corfman told the Post. She also said he guided her hand to touch his penis over his underwear.
WATCH: Alabama Republican, Judge Roy Moore, is facing new allegations of sexual assault that allegedly happened decades ago. The accusations were first reported by the Washington Post and come just about a month before the special election to fill Jeff Sessions’ Senate seat.
The Moore campaign referred to the reports as “garbage” and “is the very definition of fake news and intentional defamation.”
Speaking with the Washington Examiner, Moore supporter and Alabama state auditor Jim Ziegler suggested that even if the allegations are true, it isn’t really a big deal.
“There is nothing to see here,” Ziegler told the newspaper. “The allegations are that a man in his early 30s dated teenage girls. Even the Washington Post report says that he never had sexual intercourse with any of the girls and never attempted sexual intercourse.”
The Washington Post quoted three other women who said Moore, who describes himself as a devout Christian, took them on dates while they were in their teens and he was in his 30s. However, the women said they had no sexual contact with the man.
WATCH: Alabama governor reacts to Roy Moore sexual assault allegations
“He’s clean as a hound’s tooth,” Ziegler told the Examiner.
The state auditor went on to use the Bible in defence of Moore.
“Take Joseph and Mary. Mary was a teenager and Joseph was an adult carpenter,” Ziegler explained. “They became parents of Jesus.”
Moore quickly faced calls to step down as a candidate in the special election for the Alabama Senate seat. Among those criticizing Moore, was Sen. John McCain.
“The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying. He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of,” McCain said on Twitter.
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Moore would “do the right thing and step aside” if the allegations against him are proven to be true.
— With a file from the Associated Press
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