Trump-backed Senate candidate says intern pranked him with adult website profile

A Trump-backed Senate candidate in Ohio has said that an intern pranked him by making a profile for him on an adult website.

Bernie Moreno may clinch the Ohio Republican Senate nomination in the primary set for Tuesday, shooting to the top after being endorsed by former president Donald Trump. He was a supporter of LGBT+ rights before switching stances and becoming an opponent.

Mr Moreno is now facing questions regarding a profile from 2008 on the site Adult Friend Finder seeking sexual partners. The profile sought “men for 1-on-1 sex”.

The profile doesn’t have any photos but includes the caption: “Hi, looking for young guys to have fun with while traveling.”

That’s according to a review of public records following a data breach of the site. Records reveal that the profile was used for the final time just six hours after it was created 15 years ago.

The review showed that an individual with access to Mr Moreno’s email account created the profile but whether or not it was Mr Moreno remains unconfirmed.

Questions about the profile have been going around for the past month. Mr Moreno’s attorney has said that a former intern, Dan Ricci, created the profile as a prank.

“I am thoroughly embarrassed by an aborted prank I pulled on my friend, and former boss, Bernie Moreno, nearly two decades ago,” Mr Ricci said, according to a statement shared by the attorney.

Campaign finance records show that Mr Ricci donated $6,599 to Mr Moreno’s campaign last year.

Ohio Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno speaks during a forum at the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio

Mr Moreno “had nothing to do with the AFF account,” the candidate’s attorney, Charles Harder said.

The Independent has attempted to reach Mr Moreno and Mr