Judge... For Some Reason, Tells World He Had Sex With Attractive Women

Maybe next time don't say anything.

Judge Bill O’Neill

There seems to be a deliberate misunderstanding on the part of some men that the #metoo effort of women to tell their stories of harassment and sexual assault will somehow ensnare “innocent” men in the clutches of evil feminists. Let’s be clear — again — if you are having consensual interactions with grown-ass adults that don’t depend on you for their living, you’re going to be just fine. There is no witch hunt, just women, thinking they may finally be believed, telling their stories.

But no one gave Ohio Supreme Court judge Bill O’Neill the memo.

O’Neill is a Democrat, running for Ohio governor and he used Facebook on Friday to “confess” his sexual history. And, um, it’s a doozy:

 

Now that the dogs of war are calling for the head of Senator Al Franken I believe it is time to speak up on behalf of all heterosexual males. As a candidate for Governor let me save my opponents some research time. In the last fifty years I was sexually intimate with approximately 50 very attractive females. It ranges from a gorgeous personal secretary to Senator Bob Taft (Senior) who was my first true love and we made passionate love in the hayloft of her parents [sic] barn in Gallipolis and ended with a drop dead gorgeous red head who was a senior advisor to Peter Lewis at Progressive Insurance in Cleveland.

Now we can get back to discussing legalizing marijuana and opening the state hospital network to combat the opioid crisis. I am sooooo disappointed by this national feeding frenzy about sexual indiscretions decades ago.

Peace.

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This gross attempt at a humble brag that simultaneously undermines the allegations of every woman bravely coming forward actually pulls off a neat trick — creating bipartisan support… against O’Neill. As reported by Huffington Post:

The candidate was slammed by both Democrats and Republicans who criticized him for appearing to make light of sexual harassment and assault with his boasts. Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, a Republican candidate for governor, criticized the “crass post” that’s “dismissive at best.”

O’Neill took down the original Facebook post, but initially went on the offensive. In interviews he defended both Democratic Senator Al Franken, who’s apologized for forcibly kissing and groping Leeann Tweeden, saying, “Lighten up folks. This is how Democrats remain in the minority,” and Alabama Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore, who’s alleged to have dated underage girls while he was in his 30s, saying, “He’s been convicted of nothing and he’s never had the opportunity to defend himself and that violates due process in America.”

The social media fail has hurt support for the judge’s candidacy, even causing campaign spokesperson Chris Clevenger to quit:

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Yesterday, O’Neill finally apologized on Facebook, his medium of choice:

There comes a time in everyone’s life when you have to admit you were wrong. It is Sunday morning and i am preparing to go to church and get right with God. But first I have to get right with my family, my friends, and the thousands of strangers who have been hurt by my insensitive remarks. I am sorry. I have damaged the national debate on the very real subject of sexual harassment, abuse and unfortunately rape. It is not a laughing matter. It wasn’t when I prosecuted sexual misconduct for the State of Ohio, and it is not now. To my daughters, Katie Corrin O’Neill, Tiffany O’Neill Scullen, and my sisters Patricia O’Neill Sacha and Mary Kaye O’Neill, accomplished women all, please accept my public apology for dragging you into this matter. You deserved better treatment than this. I love you, respect you, and yes. I was wrong. Thank you for loving me enough to stand up to my departure from a loving life.

While this is certainly better than remaining incalcitrant on the issue, it doesn’t undo the damage — to both women fighting to be taken seriously about sexual harassment and assault and his campaign — that’s already been done.


headshotKathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).