If you know Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor in North Carolina, it’s likely because of his hard-line views on abortion or his inflammatory remarks on topics like Black Panther (which he called a product of “an agnostic Jew and satanic Marxists”) and the Holocaust (which he once referred to as “hogwash”). But now, there’s a new, and somewhat surprising, chapter in his story: Robinson allegedly frequented a local porn store regularly in the 1990s and early 2000s.
According to The Assembly, a North Carolina investigative site, a former employee of several 24-hour porn shops in Greensboro claims Robinson was a frequent customer, visiting as often as five nights a week to preview videos in private booths. The former employee, Louis Money, says Robinson would typically watch at least two tapes a night, spending around $8 per viewing. “Every night that I worked, which would have been five nights a week, I saw Mark,” Money said. “He was spending a good amount of money.” Five other employees and customers confirmed Robinson’s regular visits, with one even recalling how Robinson would occasionally bring pizza for the other patrons.
Robinson’s campaign dismissed the story, calling The Assembly’s report “bullshit.” In his memoir, Robinson admitted to poor financial decisions, writing, “When I had money and should have been saving or spending it on essentials, I was just throwing it away.” His family filed for bankruptcy three times between 1998 and 2003.
Robinson’s alleged porn habits resurfaced after Louis Money created a rap-rock music video in August titled “The Lt. Governor Owes Me Money,” where he claimed Robinson had bought hundreds of bootleg porn compilations but never paid for the last one.
While Robinson’s staunch stance against pornography mirrors the broader Republican moral crusade, this revelation might have an unexpected impact, potentially resonating with certain voters rather than harming his campaign.
