Roy Moore begs for help with legal defense fund to 'make ends meet'

A cash-strapped Roy Moore urged supporters Thursday to pour more donations into a legal defense fund formed to fight a defamation lawsuit by a woman who said he molested her when she was 14.

In a lengthy Facebook post, the unsuccessful U.S. Senate candidate decried the cost of his attorneys and described how his resources "have been depleted" and he's "struggled to make ends meet."

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"I have lawyers who want to help but they are not without cost and besides their fees, legal expenses could run over $100,000," he wrote. "I have had to establish a legal defense fund, anything you give will be appreciated."

Moore, a former judge on the Alabama Supreme Court, lost the race for Senate to Democrat Doug Jones in December.

The Republican started the fundraiser, which aimed to raise $250,000, in late January, to fight the defamation lawsuit filed by Leigh Corfman, the Associated Press reported.

Corfman told the Washington Post in the run-up to the election Moore took her to his home in 1979, undressed her and ran her hand over the front of his underwear. Moore denied wrongdoing with Corfman as well as two other accusers. Her lawsuit highlights his denials and accusations that the women were paid or had political motivations.

“All these statements by Mr. Moore are defamatory,” the Jan. 4 lawsuit read. “Mr. Moore sexually abused Ms. Corfman in 1979, when she was 14 years old and he was in his early 30s, and Mr. Moore’s denials of these facts are false and his characterizations of Ms. Corfman and her motivations are untrue.”

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In an email to supporters in late January, Moore explained how the unsuccessful Senate run left him with "very minimal" resources.

His recent call for donations drew on the touchstones of his campaign: bashing the "Washington establishment" and appealing to God. He included a link to the donation website.

"The liberal media, in association with some who want to destroy our country do not want my influence in the 2018 elections and are doing everything they can to stop me," he said. "Gays, lesbians, and transgenders have joined forces with those who believe in abortion, sodomy, and destruction of all that we hold dear. Unless we stand together we will lose our Country."

He vowed not to back down.

"My resources have been depleted and I have struggled to make ends meet," he said," but I have not lost my faith in our God, who is our true source of strength and will never leave or forsake us."

Follow Sean Rossman on Twitter: @SeanRossman