Has Ed Buck paid for the silence of Democrats on his alleged Tuskegee Experiment like fetish which includes shooting drugs into young Black men that he picks up off the street or via dating hookup websites? 

The silence from L.A.’s Democratic community on the recent death of a 26-year-old Black gay male escort in the West Hollywood apartment of 63-year-old prominent Democratic political donor Ed Buck has been astounding.

Gemmel Moore’s July 27 death, was immediately classified as an accidental methamphetamine overdose by the coroner, but now the Sheriff’s Department is taking a closer look after his personal journal was published.  Numerous young Black gay men have stepped forward making allegations against Buck recounting similar stories about a man who they say has a Tuskegee Experiment like fetish which includes shooting drugs into young Black men that he picks up off the street or via dating hookup websites. 

In his journal, Gemmel Moore wrote, “I honestly don’t know what to do. I’ve become addicted to drugs and the worst one at that,” a December entry reads. “Ed Buck is the one to thank. He gave me my first injection of crystal meth it was very painful, but after all the troubles, I became addicted to the pain and fetish/fantasy.” 

“My life is at an alltime [sic] high right now & I mean that from all ways.  I ended up back at Buck [sic] house again and got munipulated [sic] into slamming again.  I even went to the point where I was forced to doing 4 within a 2day [sic] period.  This man is crazy and its [sic] sad.  Will I ever get help?”

His last entry, dated Dec. 3, 2016, reads: “If it didn’t hurt so bad, I’d kill myself, but I’ll let Ed Buck do it for now.

Buck has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democratic causes and candidates over the years. His Facebook page boasted dozens of photos of him with everyone from presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to Governor Jerry Brown, Los Angeles County Democratic Party and California Democratic Party chairman Eric Bauman and even Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

In online ads soliciting young Black gay men, Buck has referred to them as being a “6-foot” n-word. On his Facebook page, he joked with friends using the n-word. 

Typically in politics, we try to distance ourselves from white people who call Black people the n-word or use the n-word–not protect them with our silence.

It’s troubling to see that so many Los Angeles area Democrats have taken donations from a man who has allegedly stalked and preyed on the most vulnerable of society.  Just the fact that the allegations have been made and reported on in news that these politicians are most influenced by should–and normally would–be enough for them to return their donations and issue statements distancing themselves from the accused.  But for the most part nothing. Is it because Ed Buck is white?  Is it because he is white and gay?  Is it because he often maxes out on contributing to their campaigns?  Is it because the accusers are Black gay men?  It it because the accusers are Black?  

These are the questions that Democrats in Los Angeles should be asking themselves about all of this. 

Most of Los Angeles’ Democratic and LGBT community–which are often one in same–has had nothing to say publicly about Moore’s death. Politicians who have received thousands of dollars from Buck over the years have been curiously silent.  I can count on one hand the number of people from the political party of allies, coalition building and we’re stronger together who have made a public call for a thorough investigation into Gemmel Moore’s death in light of the numerous allegations that have been made.  As Democrats we are often the first to call on Republicans to return money at the slightest hint of impropriety–there seems to be a double standard when a Democratic donor is involved in the wrongdoing.

And while there was no shortage of politicians in Los Angeles falling over themselves to issue statements and be seen in the media condemning the events of Charlottesville and President Trump’s response to them–locally they have seemingly looked the other way and conveniently ignored that one of their top donors might be a serial predator who gets his kicks by drugging vulnerable young Black gay men.

Buck has given money to the campaigns of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Governor Jerry Brown, a Superior Court Judge and even Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey. To date, only two elected officials have returned the money they received–Congressmember Karen Bass who returned the entire $250 she received from Buck and put it towards Gemmel Moore’s funeral expenses and West Hollywood Councilmember John D’Amico who made a $25 contribution towards the funeral.

I will say that even though Ed Buck is said to have a penchant for young Black gay men–that liking didn’t extend to Black politicians who along with women were given the least amount of money. Noted.

Currently the family and friends of Gemmel Moore are raising money to assist his family in traveling back and forth from Texas to Los Angeles as well as cover any legal costs in pursuing justice.  They are also raising money to assist the victims who are coming forward–many of which are still are on the streets and in need of help.  If half of the elected officials, PACs, and Dem clubs on the list below returned the money they received from Ed Buck there would be more than enough money to cover the costs needed to seek justice on behalf of Gemmel Moore as well as help the young men coming forward with information on Ed Buck.  Donations can be made here.

Below is a partial list of current office holders, PACs and Democratic Clubs who have received money from Ed Buck during the same time period that victims say they had dealings with him–2008 through 2017. The list is broken up into five sections–Clubs, Committees & PACS, Federal, State, Los Angeles and West Hollywood campaigns.  As more research is done, the list will be updated. As money is returned in the form of donations to the Justice4Gemmel Fund, the list will updated. As people speak up, the list will be updated.

Ed Buck’s Campaign Contributions

Click on section to open.

[accordion][panel num = “1” title=”Clubs, Committees & PACS”]

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Amount Recv’d: $30,000
Date: 11/30/2015, 2/17/2016, 3/21/2016, 5/18//2017
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Animal PAC/Social Compassion in Legislation for Animals (Ed Buck is the group’s largest contributor)
Amount Recv’d: $95,629.06
Date: 7/6/2011, 3/23/2012, 5/24/2012, 12/28/2012, 4/11/2013 4/27/2016, 5/20/2016
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No
*Partial list of beneficiaries of Animal PAC include: Henry Stern for State Senate ($4,200), Anthony Portantino for Senate 2016 ($2,500), Jeffrey Prang for Accessor ($6,000), Mike Feuer for City Attorney 2013 ($1,300), John Perez for Assembly 2012 ($3,900), Bob Blumenfield for Assembly 2012 ($1,000), Betty Yee for State Controller 2014 ($250), John Duran for West Hollywood City Council ($3,200), Jeffrey Prang for West Hollywood City Council ($3,200)

Getting Stuff Done PAC
Amount Recv’d: $10,000
Date: 2/24/2015, 3/15/2016
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Ready PAC
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 3/17/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

House Majority PAC
Amount Recv’d: $5,000
Date: 10/6/2014
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Equality California PAC
Amount Recv’d: $3,250
Date: 5/15/2013, 5/21/2013, 3/17/2014, 11/18/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

United for a Strong America PAC
Amount Recv’d: $500
Date: 6/10/2008
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Los Angeles County Central Democratic Committee
Amount Recv’d: $2,000
Date: 8/23/2012
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Democratic State Central Committee
Amount Recv’d: $2,600
Date: 10/16/2010, 10/28/2014
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Stonewall Young Democrats
Amount Recv’d: $4,750
Date: 8/23/2010, 10/20/2013, 4/7/2014, 1/27/2015, 11/18/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Stonewall Democratic Club
Amount Recv’d: $13,725
Date: 4/15/2011, 3/31/2010, 3/19/2012, 2/9/2014, 5/6/2014, 6/30/2014, 4/23/2015, 12/1/2015, 12/25/2015, 4/23/2016, 4/26/2017, 7/14/2016, 12/7/2016, 6/6/2017
Amount Returned: Yes, but private
Statement Made: Yes

Democratic Party of San Fernando Valley
Amount Recv’d: $350
Date: 11/8/2009
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project LA County Action Fund
Amount Recv’d: $390
Date: 10/2/2014, 9/9/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

[/panel][panel num = “2” title=”Federal”]

Hillary for America
Amount Recv’d: $2,950
Date: 4/24/2015, 5/6/2016
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Ready for Hillary
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 12/31/2014
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Obama for America
Amount Recv’d: $1,500
Date: 4/24/2008, 5/25/2008, 8/29/2008
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Joe Donnelly for US Senate
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 5/31/2017
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Ted Lieu For Congress
Amount Recv’d: $16,000
Date: 2/11/2014, 8/19/2015, 3/20/2017
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Adam Schiff For Congress
Amount Recv’d: $2,700
Date: 4/28/2016
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Jerry McNeary For Congress
Amount Recv’d: $5,750
Date: 5/12/2008, 9/18/2009, 4/22/2010, 9/2/2010, 2/2/2011, 9/30/2011, 6/11/2012, 10/3/2012
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Lucibal Roybal-Allard for Congress
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 11/3/2009
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Kyrsten Sinema For Congress
Amount Recv’d: $7,700
Date: 1/27/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Peter Aguilar for Congress
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 5/26/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Jimmy Gomez for Congress
Amount Recv’d: $2,000
Date: 2/27/2017, 5/27/2017
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Tony Cardenas For Congress
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 3/25/2012
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Friends of Raja Krishnamoorthi for Congress
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 6/21/2017
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Anthony Portantino Congressional Exploratory Committee
Amount Recv’d: $3,500
Date: 9/2/2010, 5/1/2011, 5/27/2011, 6/29/2011
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Bryan Caforio For Congress
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 10/10/2016
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Rosen for Nevada
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 10/10/2016
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

[/panel][panel num = “3” title=”State”]

Judge Songhai D. Miguda-Armstead
Amount Recv’d: $250
Date: 4/29/2014
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No
*Songhai D. Miguda-Armstead is a judge on the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in California. She was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown (D) on July 16, 2015, and was re-elected in 2016.

Jerry Brown for Governor
Amount Recv’d: $2,000
Date: 10/17/2010
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Gavin Newsom for Governor
Amount Recv’d: $2,000
Date: 6/29/2011
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Gavin Newsom for Lieutenant Governor
Amount Recv’d: $100
Date: 6/4/2009
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Kevin de Leon for Lieutenant Governor
Amount Recv’d: $7,800
Date: 10/8/2013
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

John Perez for State Controller
Amount Recv’d: $14,600
Date: 11/18/2015, 6/8/2017
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Scott Svonkin for Board of Equalization
Amount Recv’d: $5,500
Date: 6/16/2016, 5/31/2017
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Kevin de Leon for State Senate
Amount Recv’d: $4,100
Date: 4/16/2014
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Henry Stern State Senate
Amount Recv’d: $5,200
Date: 6/25/2015, 9/22/2016
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Anthony Portantino for State Senate
Amount Recv’d: $8,300
Date: 5/27/2013, 12/9/2014, 9/22/2016, 12/16/2014
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Richard Bloom for State Assembly
Amount Recv’d: $2,500
Date: 5/23/2016
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Ben Allen for CA Senate
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 11/4/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Curren Price for State Senator
Amount Recv’d: $100
Date: 5/18/2010
Amount Returned: $250
Statement Made: Yes
*Curren Price is currently a member of the Los Angeles City Council

Blanca Rubio for State Assembly
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 5/4/2016
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Reggie Jones-Sawyer for State Assembly
Amount Recv’d: $500
Date: 12/5/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Ted Lieu for State Assembly
Amount Recv’d: $4,100
Date: 12/3/2013
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Matt Dababneh for State Assembly
Amount Recv’d: $1,500
Date: 11/1/2013
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Gloria Gray for State Assembly
Amount Recv’d: $1,500
Date: 7/2/2014
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No
*Gloria Gray is currently on the West Basin Municipal Water District

Karen Bass for State Assembly
Amount Recv’d: $250
Date: 5/30/2008
Amount Returned: $250
Statement Made: Yes
*Karen Bass is currently a member of the US House of Representatives

John Perez for State Assembly
Amount Recv’d: $3,900
Date: 10/5/2012
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No
*John Perez is currently a Regent of the University of California

Julia Brownley for State Assembly
Amount Recv’d: $100
Date: 10/5/2010
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No
*Julia Brownley is currently a member of the US House of Representatives

[/panel][panel num = “4” title=”Los Angeles”]

Jackie Lacey for DA
Amount Recv’d: $100
Date: 3/12/2012
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No
*District Attorney Jackie Lacey’s office is the agency responsible for deciding whether Ed Buck’s crimes rise to level of prosecution and is the only office who issue immunity to Buck’s victims.

Garcetti for Mayor 2017
Amount Recv’d: $1,400
Date: 11/3/2016
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Mike Feuer for City Attorney 2013
Amount Recv’d: $2,600
Date: 9/4/2011, 3/23/2012, 4/2/2013
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Mike Feuer Legal Defense Fund
Amount Recv’d: $2,000
Date: 4/7/13, 10/14/2014
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Mike Feuer City Attorney Officeholder Account 2013
Amount Recv’d: $2,000
Date: 5/13/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Re-Elect Mike Feuer for City Attorney 2017
Amount Recv’d: $1,400
Date: 5/13/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Ron Galperin for LA City Controller 2013
Amount Recv’d: $2,600
Date: 3/5/2014, 5/21/2014
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Controller Ron Galperin Officeholder Account 2013
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 10/13/2014
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Ron Galperin for LA City Controller 2017
Amount Recv’d: $1,400
Date: 12/31/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Bob Blumenfield for City Council 2013
Amount Recv’d: $700
Date: 9/25/2012
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Bob Blumenfield for City Council 2013 Officeholder Account
Amount Recv’d: $700
Date: 12/7/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Bob Blumenfield for City Council 2017
Amount Recv’d: $700
Date: 12/7/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Councilman Tony Cardenas 2011
Amount Recv’d: $500
Date: 2/8/2011
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No
* Tony Cardenas is now a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing the California’s 29th congressional district

Cedillio for City Council 2013
Amount Recv’d: $1,400
Date: 2/27/2013, 5/20/13
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Paul Koretz for City Council
Amount Recv’d: $500
Date: 8/20/2008
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Paul Koretz Officeholder Account
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 4/29/2011, 12/17/2014
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Koretz for City Council 2017
Amount Recv’d: $700
Date: 6/30/2016
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Krekorian for City Council 2009
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 11/19/2009, 12/2/2009
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Krekorian for City Council 2011
Amount Recv’d: $500
Date: 6/24/2011
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Krekorian for City Council 2015
Amount Recv’d: $700
Date: 2/26/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Mitch O’Farrell for LA City Council 2013
Amount Recv’d: $1,400
Date: 2/17/2013, 4/2/2013
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Councilmember O’Farrell Officeholder Account 2013
Amount Recv’d: $700
Date: 9/30/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell Legal Defense Fund
Amount Recv’d: $1,400
Date: 3/23/2016
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Mitch O’Farrell for LA City Council 2017
Amount Recv’d: $700
Date: 9/30/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Jeffrey Prang for Los Angeles County Accessor
Amount Recv’d: $9,500
Date: 11/1/2013, 6/13/2014, 6/18/2014, 6/26/2017
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

John Duran for LA County Supervisor
Amount Recv’d: $11,500
Date: 2/11/2014, 4/21/2014, 5/17/2014
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Scott Svonkin for Los Angeles Community College District
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 2/15/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Sydney Kamlager for Los Angeles Community College District
Amount Recv’d: $500
Date: 2/7/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Scott Houston for West Basin Municipal Water District 
Amount Recv’d: $500
Date: 2/20/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

[/panel][panel num = “5” title=”West Hollywood”]

John Duran for LA County Supervisor
Amount Recv’d: $13,000
Date: 1/6/2014, 2/11/2014, 4/21/2014, 5/17/2014
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

John Duran for City Council
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 11/28/2012, 6/18/2016
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Neighbors for a Better West Hollywood in Support of Lauren Meister for West Hollywood City Council 2015
Amount Recv’d: $2,000
Date: 2/4/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

Lauren Meister for West Hollywood City Council 2015
Amount Recv’d: $500
Date: 2/1/2015
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

John Heilman for West Hollywood City Council 2017
Amount Recv’d: $2,000
Date: 5/25/2017, 6/1/2017
Amount Returned: $0
Statement Made: No

D’Amico for City Council 2015
Amount Recv’d: $1,000
Date: 9/29/2010, 7/24/2014
Amount Returned: $25
Statement Made: No

[/panel][/accordion]

Sources: Federal Election Committee, Open Secrets, Cal-Access, The City of West Hollywood 

To read my complete series on Ed Buck, please click here.