“I’m caught in a trap, I can’t walk out,” and the song lyrics go on…but in this case the trap was real. Just ask Justin Moed whose naked backside and pink collar has created a real ethics challenge for both he and his captor – Sydney Leathers. Is this another case of failed Political Ethics?
Sydney Leathers and Justin Moed
You may remember the name, Sydney Leathers. She is the self-described political activist who brought down Anthony Weiner, New York City mayoral candidate in 2013. Leathers likes to sexually troll for politicians and other folks, I suppose (that is a blog topic for a psychologist!). Leathers, who lives in Evansville, Indiana posted an ad that she was looking to “financially dominate” a man.
Let us be clear; there is social and political activism and then there is pornography. Ms. Leathers has appeared in four, X-rated films, presumably to help pay for her education. Hah!
In any case, she “struck up” a cyber-relationship with Indiana politician, Justin Moed. Moed’s political responsibilities include most of downtown Indianapolis. I am sure his electorate is thrilled to no end. Over time he sent Leathers a selfie of his naked backside and a pink collar and leash through the Amazon.com website.
At first she didn’t realize she had caught another politician in her trap, but true to Moed’s lack of clear thinking, the leash and collar had accompanying paperwork with his name and address.
The usual spin
When he was caught, Moed, a second term State representative, issued the usual boiler-plate apology to The Indianapolis Star:
“I am truly sorry I have hurt the ones I love most with my poor judgment. I am committed to rebuilding trust with my family and my community. This is a private matter and I ask for it to be treated as such. I apologize to my constituents and to everyone I have let down.”
I should add that Moed is engaged to be married in September 2015. This is not an advice to the lovelorn column, but his fiancée might want to re-think her nuptials.
As for the politician stating that this is a private matter, I could not disagree more. I need no details of the “sexting” back and forth, but he is a representative of the people and they have placed their trust in him. He was elected to a public office, and he takes taxpayer money. To tell those who voted for him, in essence, to mind their own business as he works it out, is something that I find to be quite ethically arrogant. If he wants to re-build trust, he should consider stepping down or at least taking a leave of absence.
The why of it all
Why these situations occur in the first place is a whole other set of issues. Certainly, the major issue is a lack of judgment stemming from a lack of ethical controls and responsibilities. It is one thing to sign documentation pledging to ethically carry out the duties of an office; it is quite another thing to submit to an annual ethics training program to reinforce the behaviors that are acceptable and those that are not. When this politician started to engage in this idiotic, virtual relationship, it probably didn’t even occur to him that there was the most remote prospect of his being caught. Arrogance will do that to a person.
Second, Moed fell prey to the trap of the social media. He is a young man and is most probably a digital native or at worst, a very early adopter. His website takes advantage of all of the social media. Though he lives with the social media, he is still yet to realize that anything put out into cyberspace stays in cyberspace. I teach courses on the ethical pitfalls of the social media and its misuse. He fell into the trap feet first.
Finally, why did he display such arrogance? Why did he believe that his bad choices would never lead to negative consequences?
Yes, I understand he is human – and is subject to human frailty, but in leading a political life devoid of an honest understanding of ethical behavior, his political career and perhaps part of his personal life, could be lost forever.
It did not have to be this way. I cannot blame Sydney Leathers though she has her own demons that could lead to her personal destruction, but unless at all levels of government firm ethical training programs are put into effect, these kinds of scandals will continue to happen.
Ultimately, the biggest losers in this case, once again, are the voters. It becomes easier to understand why so many of us are jaded about those we elect to represent us.
What are your thoughts?