Ohio governor-hopeful reveals sexual past in candid Facebook post

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

A state Supreme Court justice running for Ohio governor volunteered candid details of his sexual past on Facebook, saying he was taking a swipe at the “media frenzy” over sexual misconduct.

Democrat William O’Neill’s post Friday was immediately attacked as inappropriate and led to calls for his ouster.

In it, he wrote he has been “sexually intimate with approximately 50 very attractive females.” He wrote the women included “a gorgeous blonde” with whom he “made passionate love” in a hay loft and a “drop dead gorgeous red head” from Cleveland.

After posting the message, he edited it to remove some identifying information about the women.

Justice O’Neill told The Associated Press the details provided were true and that he was trying to make a point.

“It’s a matter of parody suggesting that, as a governor candidate, I assume I am the next target of the media frenzy,” he said.

“So I figure let’s just get it out here on Front Street right here and now,” he added, referring to the street where the Supreme Court building sits.

Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, the first woman to hold that position, condemned the post.

“No words can convey my shock,” she said in a statement. “This gross disrespect for women shakes the public’s confidence in the integrity of the judiciary.”

State Sen. Joe Schiavoni, a Boardman Democrat running for governor, tweeted: “This is a ridiculous comment by someone who is supposed to be a professional representing Ohioans on our highest court. It is definitely not reflective of the way I feel.” Schiavoni also tweeted that “it’s time for Justice O’Neill to hang it up.”

Justice O’Neill, who previously served 10 years on the 11th District Court of Appeals based in Warren, said the post grew out of frustration over Democrats’ calls to remove Al Franken from the U.S. Senate over sexual misconduct allegations.

“Democrats are now calling for Al Franken’s removal from the United States Senate for an indiscreet act for which he has apologized, the victim has accepted the apology – and now the feeding frenzy begins,” Justice O’Neill said.