An investigation by WKYC has uncovered that Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno has been sued more than 50 times by former employees, significantly more than the five lawsuits he claimed in a recent interview.
Moreno, who is challenging Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown in the Senate race, has faced scrutiny over his business practices. WKYC’s investigation sheds light on numerous legal battles involving Moreno’s companies, with claims that he failed to pay employees as required.
The Claim
In an interview with The Vindicator, Moreno stated that he had been sued only five times during his 15 years in business. This assertion was used to defend his business record amid increasing scrutiny.
Sources and Investigation
To verify Moreno’s claim, WKYC examined a range of documents, including his financial disclosure forms submitted to the U.S. Senate, Secretary of State filings in Ohio, Massachusetts, and Florida, and federal and state court records.
The investigation found multiple business entities linked to Moreno, including M Motors variations and Bernie Moreno Companies. Court records reveal 13 lawsuits filed in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and at least 10 in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Additional legal actions were identified in Florida and federal jurisdictions.
Among these cases are allegations that Moreno’s companies did not compensate employees as required. One case involved accusations that Moreno intentionally destroyed evidence to avoid payment obligations.
Response from Moreno’s Campaign
WKYC reached out to Moreno’s campaign for clarification on the findings. Reagan McCarthy, the campaign’s communications director, acknowledged the lawsuit in Massachusetts but did not address the other cases. The campaign’s response highlighted discrepancies in how Moreno’s lawsuits were reported and counted.
Conclusion
The investigation by WKYC confirms that Moreno’s claim of being sued only five times is inaccurate. The actual number of lawsuits against his businesses is substantially higher. This finding adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate over Moreno’s business practices and his suitability for the U.S. Senate.
For further details, refer to WKYC’s full report.
