While gubernatorial hopeful Wes Moore continues to face questions about his past, he has not agreed to a formal interview with FOX45 News to discuss the issues but was pressed on the radio Friday morning.
Speaking with WBAL Radio’s C4 and Bryan Nehman, Moore was asked about questions raised about his hometown story, military awards and comments about the family of slain Baltimore County Sgt. Bruce Prothero coming out saying they do not support Moore’s book, New York Times Bestseller The Other Wes Moore.
“I want to separate the Prothero family, and I just want to say that i have always said that I understand and respect that some of the members of the Prothero have not engaged with the book,” Moore said. “I’ve been happy to communicate with and have been inspired by the members of the family who have read the book and who have been interested in being involved.”
While Moore focuses on the fact that some members of the Prothero family support his book, the brother of the late Sgt. Prothero spoke exclusively with FOX45 News and said Bruce’s widow does not support the book, and that’s what should count.
“To go on the air and say you family endorsement when you [do] not have THE family endorsement,” Rick Prothero said. “Ann literally had to send Wes Moore, the letter, telling him to stop using her name in support of the book Ann Prothero the surviving widow of my brother and as such, her feelings and her opinions be the most opinion.”
While on the radio, Moore also said he had no reason to exaggerate his record, speaking about several different allegations raised about his ties to Baltimore and his military history.
"I am someone who volunteered to join up with the 82nd Airborne division and deploy to Afghanistan -- someone who is a decorated combat veteran who saw combat,” Moore said. “The reality is, these are desperate attacks to try to claim that my politeness in a live interview of not correcting an interviewer was taken as an exaggeration.”
Moore is referring to a 2010 clip from his interview with Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central’s Colbert Report. Colbert introduced Moore and rattled off his accomplishments, including his Rhode Scholarship and talked about his military record.
“You’re a decorated veteran in the Afghan war, is that correct,” Colbert asked.
“Yes,” Moore said.
“You have a Bronze star,” asked Colbert.
The video clip appeared to show Moore nodding in agreement.
Moore’s campaign has pushed back on that notion, saying he was agreeing with being a veteran. According to Moore’s military record, provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, Moore does have a handful of medals and honors in his file, but a Bronze Star is not one of them.
There are other examples of Moore not correcting the record as well. Through several clips online from Moore’s book tour for "The Other Wes Moore," it’s been documented that he allowed others – mostly interviewers and others introducing him at events – to call him a Baltimore native or say that he grew up in Baltimore.
After several investigations, from FOX45 and other media outlets, Moore told a group of supporters during a campaign rally that he wasn’t a Baltimorean by birth, rather one “by choice,” noting it’s a city that has felt like home to him and one he’s formed a connection with over the years.
During the interview on the radio, Moore also said he thought the questions raised about his background were part of “a smear campaign” from Sinclair Broadcast Group, FOX45's parent company.
“They are coming from right-wing media and our opponents,” Moore said.
Host Bryan Nehman pushed back and asked, “Wait, you think they are coming from right-wing media or do you think they are coming from left, fellow Democratic candidates?”
“Well, they are definitely coming from both. We are watching now Sinclair trying to put their direct attacks on us,” Moore responded.
The Washington Post, Baltimore Banner and CNN have all done independent investigations and stories looking at some of the claims Moore has made over the years.