The lawyer for embattled Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore asserted that a Canadian MSNBC host may be able to understand why his client would pursue relations with underage girls, during an interview on “Live with Velshi & Ruhle” Wednesday.
The comments came from attorney Trenton Garmon as he defended Moore, who has been accused of sexually assaulting underage girls as young as 14 years old.
READ MORE: Republican Senate nominee Roy Moore calls child sexual assault reports ‘fake news’
Garmon suggested the journalist Ali Velshi, who was born in Kenya and raised in Toronto, may be able to understand his client’s alleged actions because of his “background.”
“Culturally speaking, there’s differences,” Garmon said.
“I looked up Ali’s background, and wow, that’s awesome that you have got such a diverse background, it’s really cool to read through that.”
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When pressed further on the off-the-cuff remark by co-host Stephanie Ruhle, Garmon explained: “In other countries, there’s arrangement through parents for what we would refer to as consensual marriage.”
“Ali’s from Canada,” Ruhle pointed out.
“I understand that. And Ali’s also spent time in other countries,” Garmon said.
“I don’t know where you’re going with this,” Velshi replied.
WATCH: Woman alleges Roy Moore sexually assaulted her when she was a teenager
Garmon then continued to say that Moore asked the mothers of those he pursued for permission before asking them on a date.
“Before he’d date anybody, whether they’re 25, 35, or whether he doesn’t know their age, he would ask the mother’s permission,” the lawyer said, adding that he stands by Moore’s justification.
Five women have accused Moore of sexually harassing or assaulting them when they were teenagers. The alleged incidents, which were first reported in The Washington Post, revealed that Moore allegedly made sexual contact with a 14-year-old when he was in his 30s.
READ MORE: Roy Moore hit by new sexual assault accusation, says it’s ‘absolutely false’
On Monday, the fifth woman named Beverly Young Nelson, recounted her experience in a press conference.
Nelson spoke of one incident in particular, where she alleged Moore offered to drive her home from work, but then proceeded to assault her. She said he groped her, then squeezed her neck, leaving it blue and black for days.
Moore has denied all the claims, insisting they are “fake news.” He has also refused to step down from the Alabama Senate race, which is slated to take place on Dec. 12.
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