Update: Shocking statement on N.C. Rep. Tim Moffitt Twitter account raises questions

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Here’s the Sept. 24 update, a statement from N.C. Rep. Tim Moffitt:

“At least two of my computer accounts have been hijacked repeatedly. I have filed the appropriate reports with the appropriate agencies and leave the matter in their capable hands. My focus is squarely on the issues facing the people of my district and I don’t believe the status of my Twitter account is of much importance to people facing real problems.”

Here’s the original post:

An unusual tweet that appeared Thursday on the official Twitter account of N.C. Rep. Tim Moffitt has raised questions, and more than a few eyebrows.

The tweet, which was erased quickly from Moffitt’s Twitter stream (@TimMoffitt), was captured by several followers. It read:

They should lock up all the gays on their own island. Except for the lesbians. Y’all can have them!

That tweet was followed by this on Moffitt’s Twitter account:

Please accept my apologies. My account has been hacked once again.

Several observers wondered aloud if the offending tweet was actually written by Michael Muller, a former Mountain Xpress reporter and political operative who has worked for several campaigns for Republicans seeking elected office. The allegation is that Muller is working for Moffitt, has access to Moffitt’s account and wrongly wrote under said account, rather than Muller’s own personal account. Muller is known as an often outrageous Twitter personality who has been critical of Moffitt’s political opponent in this year’s election.

(The charges that Muller was working behind the scenes for Moffitt caught attention back in August when Muller verbally tussled with Twitter folks who were upset over his tweets about a former Citizen-Times reporter who now runs a nonprofit.)

Moffitt, a Republican, has drawn the ire of critics for a couple of moves, including his work on a committee that recommended restructuring Asheville’s water system, as well as bills that removed elected officials from the Asheville Regional Airport board and ended involuntary annexation in Asheville.

In reaction to the offending tweet, several folks called for Muller to say clearly whether or not he was tweeting on behalf of Moffitt. They also called on Moffitt to seek an official investigation if, indeed, his account was hacked –  a crime that ranks as a felony.

I’ve left a message with Moffitt’s office seeking comment.