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Bernie Moreno’s Campaign Continues to Be Clouded By Lawsuits For Mistreating Workers

Columbus, OH – Bernie Moreno’s campaign continues to be clouded by “a string” of lawsuits for mistreating his workers, with new reporting marking another time where Moreno “stiffed [a former employee] out of money that Moreno personally promised him.” Moreno’s record of “stiffing workers” includes over a dozen lawsuits where Moreno refused to pay his workers the overtime they earned, and in one case deliberately destroyed evidence he was legally required to keep to get out of it.

Read More About Moreno’s Record “Stiffing Workers” And Destroying Evidence:

  • Business Insider: Trump-backed Ohio Senate candidate shredded documents as he faced a lawsuit accusing him of wage theft
  • Mother Jones: A GOP Senate Candidate Blames “Liberal” Judges for His Labor Violations. Just One Problem With That
  • WKYC: No, Bernie Moreno’s claims that Massachusetts courts overturned federal law in wage theft lawsuits and made rulings retroactive are not true: VERIFY
  • Daily Beast: This GOP Senate Hopeful’s Self-Made Story Has a Darker Side
  • Cleveland.com: Bernie Moreno got sued by an employee who said he didn’t get paid what he was promised. Here’s what happened.
  • Associated Press: Businessman Bernie Moreno, Trump’s Senate pick in Ohio, faced discrimination lawsuits, the AP finds
  • TiffinOhio.net: GOP Senate candidate Bernie Moreno faces new allegations of wage theft

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The Real Story Behind “Self-Made” Car Salesman Bernie Moreno: “Family Cash,” “Much-Needed Handout[s],” “Special Favors” and A “Sweetheart Deal”

Mother Jones: Bernie Moreno Says He Built His Car Dealer Empire All on His Own. The Reality Is More Complicated.

Columbus, OH –  New reporting from Mother Jones today details the “much-needed handout[s],” “special favors,” and “financial assistance” Bernie Moreno received – including “a sweetheart deal on his very first Ohio dealership” – to build his network of car dealerships that made him “enormously rich.” As more details surface and complicate the image Moreno is trying to sell Ohioans as a self-made businessman, Moreno continues to be “dogged” by lawsuits for refusing to pay his employees and going so far as to deliberately destroy evidence to get out of paying them.

Read More:

Mother Jones: Bernie Moreno Says He Built His Car Dealer Empire All on His Own. The Reality Is More Complicated.
Tim Murphy
August 20, 2024

  • The up-by-the-bootstraps campaign trail story belies a more complicated reality. While Moreno describes his immigrant family as “lower middle class” and said they “came here with absolutely nothing,” a New York Times report in May detailed the Morenos’ powerful political and financial connections in Colombia, where one brother runs a major construction firm and another served as president of the Inter-American Development Bank.
  • …Moreno has been dogged, too, by questions about how he made his money. Earlier this year, my colleague Abby Vesoulis reported that Moreno shelled out more than $400,000 to settle a wage-theft lawsuit in Massachusetts in which “he was forced to admit to shredding overtime-­payment records.” He eventually settled more than a dozen claims of wage theft at his dealerships in the commonwealth, along with a host of other complaints from former employees…
  • The South Florida case offered a glimpse of the breaks that helped Moreno climb to the top of the profession. He drew the ire of rival dealers by collecting millions of dollars in financial assistance from manufacturers to open new storefronts, and he testified that Mercedes-Benz had pulled strings to get him a sweetheart deal on his very first Ohio dealership.
  • He also got a bit of help… Mercedes arranged for the owner—billionaire automotive tycoon Roger Penske—“to sell that dealership for a dramatically reduced price in exchange for Mercedes giving Penske an open point in Chandler, Arizona,” Moreno said.
  • Having grown up in the Miami area, he testified that his “heart started beating” when thought about opening a new dealership nearby… [Moreno] leveraged his family connections with a nephew, who worked for the “number three guy” at the private equity giant Fortress Investments, which had recently sold the property.
  • “With a little bit of his assistance,” Moreno said, he secured “really favorable lease terms.”
  • In a 124-page prospectus Moreno’s Collection Auto Group submitted as part of the company’s proposal for the dealership, the company included a “Capitalization Plan” with a detailed description of Moreno’s assets at the time. “Necessary Working Capital will be funded,” Collection Auto wrote, “from profits from existing operations in Northeast Ohio…Moreno Family cash reserves, and/or liquidation of select Northeast Ohio stores as necessary.”
  • To cover the costs, Moreno got a much-needed handout. A centerpiece of the case was a confidential agreement Moreno signed with Infiniti. The manufacturer offered $4.4 million in financial assistance…
  • According to court records, Nissan also gave Moreno $1.25 million in assistance to open a dealership in Akron, $650,000 to open a location in Cleveland, and $3.75 million to open another dealership by that city’s airport.
  • “Your honor, they keep giving this guy money,” complained John Forehand, an attorney for one of the plaintiffs, South Motors. “They aren’t giving anybody else money.”
  • A 2016 report in the trade journal Automotive News, which cited Nissan’s close financial relationship with Moreno, found that the assistance “has put Nissan at odds with some dealers, especially those who have smaller lots and lack the means or stomach to invest millions of dollars. Some have surrendered their franchises; others have faced termination notices from the manufacturer, numerous dealers report.”
  • Later that year, in response to the Automotive News story, four Ohio dealers sued Nissan alleging that the manufacturer had given Moreno an illegal competitive advantage by lavishing incentives on him.

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Mega Millionaire Moreno Reports Purchasing “Substantial” Investment In Family Enrichment Scheme

Ohio Capital Journal: Despite Criticizing Economy, Ohio GOP U.S. Sen. Nominee Moreno Bought Five Homes Last Year

Columbus, OH – New reporting from the Ohio Capital Journal is shedding light on car dealer Bernie Moreno’s massive fortune, including that he’s purchased five new homes in the last year, owns assets worth up to $172.7 million, and would be the fifth wealthiest Senator if elected. The report also found that Moreno’s investment in a private equity fund tied to a family enrichment scheme using taxpayer dollars has “grown substantially” and is now up to $5 million. 

Ohio Capital Journal: Despite criticizing economy, Ohio GOP U.S. Sen. nominee Moreno bought five homes last year
Nick Evans
August 20, 2024

  • Despite economic headwinds like higher interest rates, Moreno-connected entities have purchased five homes in the past year. He was also involved in the purchase of a nearly 25-acre parcel of undeveloped land next door to a popular outlet mall in Sunbury, Ohio.
  • …if elected, [Moreno] will likely be among the wealthiest men serving in Congress because of his business holdings. The company Quiver Quantitative tracks politicians’ estimated net worth thanks to disclosure requirements in the STOCK Act. Following that data, four U.S. Senators crack the $100 million mark. According to their estimates, Moreno would be the fifth.
  • Tallying together his holdings, Moreno reports assets worth at least $38 million or as much as $172.7 million.
  • Parsing the report is complicated further by the parade of businesses entities stacked like nesting dolls within the family trust. Hyperbole Investments holds stakes in tech companies based in Ohio and Israel. M6 Realty owns a building worth $1-5 million in Middleburg, Ohio that earned between $100,000 and $1 million in rent. M7 Realty’s empty land in Hudson, Ohio earned $15,000 to $50,000 in rent, and M20 Realty shelled out $9.5 million for the Delaware County parcel near the Tangier Outlet Mall.
  • In Moreno’s 2023 report, Aguila Calva Properties (that’s bald eagle in Spanish) owned a condo in Washington, D.C. and Kylo Properties owned a home in Avon, Ohio. This year, similarly named entities purchased two new homes. Aguila Calva Properties Ohio bought a $675,000 home in Westlake July 1 this year. Kylo Properties Columbus bought a $1.2 million home north of New Albany in June with a golf simulator in the basement.
  • Previously, Butterfly Properties reported owning a condo in New York City, but this year, the company reported a different property in Eastchester, New York. The $2.2 million home has an elevator and a walk-in wine cellar with room for more than 1,500 bottles. Similarly, in 2023 Pangolin Properties reported a condo in Columbus, but as of this June, it owns a $612,000 home in Dixon, California.
  • The most valuable new piece of real estate is a Coconut Grove, Florida condo owned by Live More, LLC valued at $5 to $25 million. That’s in addition to the previously reported and similarly valued home across Biscayne Bay on Key Largo. According to the filing, Moreno owns 43% of that company, and the property generated between $50,000 and $100,000 in rent.
  • Meanwhile, in 2023 Moreno reported owning an unimproved parcel of land in Zapotal, Costa Rica through a company called Yellowstone. The AP has reported Yellowstone is a private equity firm tied to a construction firm owned by Moreno’s brother…his Yellowstone holdings have grown substantially. Last year, he reported a stake worth $500,000 to $1 million that generated more than $71,000. In the current report, he claims holdings worth $1 million to $5 million which generated more than $180,000.
  • Even the complex chains of ownership don’t necessarily tell the whole story. According to Moreno’s disclosure, for many of these entities he and his wife own just 1% of the business entity. Still, Moreno lists himself as “manager” for the entities in a separate portion of his disclosure.
  • Despite listing himself as holding just a 1% stake in Live More, LLC, which purchased the $5 million plus condo in Coconut Grove, according to Florida business records, Live More has been incorporated in Florida since 2017. Bernie Moreno is listed as its manager and registered agent. The principal address for the company is the family’s home in Key Largo.
  • Moreno did not respond to a series of questions about why he has structured his holdings in this way and who holds the other 98% of the companies.

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Bernie Moreno Faces Further Scrutiny For Support Of National Abortion Ban

TiffinOhio.net: Moreno’s Support For Abortion Ban Contrasts With Ohio’s Recent Reproductive Rights Decision

Columbus, OH – Bernie Moreno is facing further scrutiny for “endors[ing] a national abortion ban that would counter Ohio’s voter-approved protections” and for being “a vocal advocate” for Ohio’s dangerous abortion ban without exceptions for rape or incest. From his support for a national abortion ban to his “absolute pro-life, no exceptions” stance on abortion, Ohioans are learning that Moreno stands in “stark contrast” to the will of Ohio voters.

Read More:

TiffinOhio.net: Moreno’s support for abortion ban contrasts with Ohio’s recent reproductive rights decision
August 17, 2024

  • Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno is facing increasing backlash for his staunch anti-abortion views, which stand in stark contrast to the recent actions of Ohio voters who overwhelmingly supported reproductive rights.
  • Moreno, a prominent figure in the GOP race, has been a vocal advocate of Ohio’s controversial “heartbeat bill,” which bans most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, with no exceptions for rape or incest.
  • This legislation was a significant point of contention until it was overturned by a constitutional amendment approved by Ohio voters last year.
  • Despite this clear voter mandate, Moreno has continued to champion restrictive abortion laws. On January 13, 2022, during an interview on Cincinnati’s 55WKRC radio, Moreno declared, “Absolute pro-life, no exceptions,” positioning himself as a firm proponent of restrictive abortion policies.
  • In recent campaign appearances, Moreno has further emphasized his anti-abortion stance. Speaking to Dayton Republicans on March 10, 2024, Moreno criticized fellow GOP candidate Ohio Sen. Matt Dolan for his 2019 vote against the heartbeat bill. Moreno’s remarks highlighted his commitment to a strict anti-abortion agenda, distinguishing himself from other candidates.
  • Moreno’s support extends beyond state legislation. He has endorsed a national abortion ban that would counter Ohio’s voter-approved protections.
  • Last month, he reiterated his support for a federal ban on multiple occasions, prompting concerns among reproductive rights advocates.
  • Dr. Lauren Beene, a pediatrician and co-founder of Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, criticized Moreno’s position. “A ban is a ban,” Beene said, underscoring the perceived inconsistency between Moreno’s stance and the views of Ohio voters.

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BAD NEWS BERNIE: The Fat Cat Ruined The Tour & Moreno Draws Scrutiny For Supporting Ohio’s Dangerous Abortion Ban

Columbus, OH – It’s been another bad week for Fat Cat Car Dealer Bernie Moreno after Ohioans across the state called him out for “harm[ing] workers” and “steal[ing] wages.” Plus, new reporting exposed Bernie Moreno’s long-standing support for banning abortion, including by supporting Ohio’s dangerous abortion ban without exceptions for rape or incest.

NEED-TO-KNOW THIS WEEK:

  • After a week of being held accountable by Ohioans and union workers for his record of “stiffing workers” to enrich himself, Fat Cat Car Dealer Bernie Moreno canceled the final stop of his bus tour in Toledo last week.
  • In light of the number of uninsured Ohioans “dropp[ing] significantly,” Ohioans should know that Bernie Moreno would overturn the ACA and jeopardize healthcare for millions of Ohioans.

😾 THE FAT CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG: During Bernie Moreno’s bus tour last week, Ohioans across the state called out Fat Cat Bernie Moreno for “harm[ing] workers” and “steal[ing] wages.” Union workers slammed Moreno for being someone who “won’t represent [them] or the middle-class working people.” A sample of what Ohioans were reading this week:

  • Associated Press: “Democrats have been following Moreno’s tour around the state to stage protests aimed at portraying him as an anti-worker ‘fat cat,’ citing lawsuits over wages and overtime filed over the years against his businesses.”
  • Cleveland.com: “Minutes before giving a quick campaign speech, Moreno came out to greet protesters, who stood between the [giant inflatable cigar-smoking cat] and the bus, only to have a local United Church of Christ pastor talk over him, describing lawsuits Moreno’s former employees had filed against him as a crowd encircled him.”
  • Medina Gazette: “While Moreno was inside speaking, several Medina County Democratic Party members and Ohio Democratic Party supporters gathered outside in the parking lot with an inflatable ‘fat cat,’ many with signs in hand reading, ‘Bernie Moreno screwed over workers,’ ‘Bernie Moreno stiffed his employees’ and ‘Bernie Moreno shredded evidence.’”
  • UAW Local 1219 President Jeff Adams: “If [Moreno] was really for the people, people wouldn’t have to sue him to get their overtime pay. I want to hear him talk about how he didn’t pay his employees overtime. How he sold the Chinese car when he said he didn’t sell it. If he didn’t pay his employees, how is he going to care about the American people[?]”

😼 THIS RUINED THE TOUR: At the last minute, Moreno canceled the final stop in his statewide bus tour in Toledo last week, which led Ohioans to call out Moreno for being someone who “can’t talk to people he disagrees with.”

  • The Toledo Blade: “Democrats have been following the tour to stage protests and inflating a blow-up “fat cat” to symbolize a greedy boss… Mr. Moreno was supposed to hold an event at Tony Packo’s Cafe on Front Street in Toledo. A group of about 30 protesters showed up across the street, fat cat and all, but Mr. Moreno did not show up.”

❌ A BAN IS A BAN, BERNIE: Ohioans were reminded this week that Bernie Moreno has long supported banning abortion and backed Ohio’s dangerous abortion ban that banned abortion in Ohio without exceptions for rape or incest. Ohioans are also sounding off on Moreno’s support for a national abortion ban that would overturn the will of Ohioans who voted overwhelmingly to protect abortion rights last year.

  • Ohio Capital Journal: “Speaking to a group of Dayton Republicans on March 10, Moreno noted that Dolan in 2019 ‘voted against the heartbeat bill. Right. So this is a guy who’s not on our side.’”
  • Dr. Johnathon Ross, MD: “Even after Ohioans voted to protect abortion rights twice last year, Bernie Moreno still supports a national abortion ban that would overrule the will of Ohio voters.”

🏥 REMINDER: BERNIE WOULD ELIMINATE OHIOANS’ HEALTH CARE: New reporting from Axios Cleveland found that the number of uninsured Ohioans “has dropped significantly” – down to 9.5% in 2022 – thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Bernie Moreno has supported overturning the ACA, and recently criticized the bill that is lowering prescription drug costs.

 🗞️ WHAT OHIOANS ARE READING THIS WEEK:

  • Lima News: “Throughout Moreno’s bus tour, protesters and United Auto Worker leaders have been following him on his stops with a Fat Cat inflatable, a symbol commonly used by workers to draw attention to greedy bosses…”
  • Spectrum News: “When he unsuccessfully ran for Senate in 2022, Moreno told one interview he was ‘100 percent pro-life’ with no exceptions.’”
  • Dr. Johnathon Ross, MD:“Moreno wants politicians to make personal healthcare decisions that should be between a woman and her doctor. And he won’t stop at abortion. Moreno has opposed birth control protections and has called IVF a ‘nonissue.’”
  • WCPT: “[Moreno] has shown to lie on the record and misrepresent his background and not support workers.”

🐤 TWEET OF THE WEEK:

🎶 CODA: “Moreno supports [a national] abortion ban”

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