SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Pornographic magazine publisher Larry Flynt offered $1 million on Thursday to anyone with proof of "an illicit sexual liaison" involving leading Republican presidential candidate and Texas Governor Rick Perry.
The offer by the politically left-leaning Flynt targeting Perry was similar to past efforts by the Hustler magazine founder to embarrass public figures he dislikes.
Los Angeles-based Larry Flynt Productions, which publishes Hustler, said it bought full-page advertisements in the weekly editions of the U.S. satirical tabloid The Onion and the Austin Chronicle, a Texas alternative paper, seeking evidence of any Perry peccadilloes.
"I've been doing this for 35 years," Flynt said in a telephone interview with Reuters. "We've found running these ads were very successful in finding sources to come forward."
A copy of the most recent ad circulated to the media by Flynt's company read, "Have you had a gay or straight sexual encounter with Governor Rick Perry?"
"Can you provide documented evidence of illicit sexual or intimate relations with the governor? Larry Flynt and Hustler magazine will pay you up to $1 million if we choose to publish your verified story and use your material."
Perry headed into a Republican candidate debate on Thursday ranked as the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination, according to recent public opinion polls.
A USA Today/Gallup poll released this week found Perry ahead of one-time Republican front-runner Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, with 31 percent favoring him to 24 percent for Romney among Republican likely voters.
A spokesman for Perry could not be reached for comment about the Flynt offer.
In 1999, then-incoming U.S. House Speaker Robert Livingston resigned after Flynt claimed to have uncovered evidence of an extramarital affair by the Louisiana Republican.
Flynt had bought a full-page newspaper advertisement offering $1 million for evidence of sexual dalliances by congressional Republicans, who were seeking to impeach then-President Bill Clinton over allegations that he had lied under oath about an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Flynt in 2007 made a separate $1 million offer for evidence of illicit sexual encounters by high-ranking lawmakers, but that ended less dramatically than his 1998 offer.
(Editing by Alex Dobuzinskis and Peter Bohan)
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Neandertaler26 seconds ago
I guess we'll see a Flint decency act to go with the new Buffett tax act.
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rjohn42 seconds ago
he must be bored masturbating in his wheelchair.
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Ken46 seconds ago
This is what lefties call investigative journalism.
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Cole47 seconds ago
Take the jerk bag Perry down Larry ......go get him ..........
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Clandestine Patriot53 seconds ago
Politicians are using Americans for their own political gain! Its time to stop the madness congress, the white house, wealthy candidates and profit pirate businesses are doing to America! We can stop their grip on our government and America! We are the Majority...they are only 10%, including... More
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robert56 seconds ago
BWahhhaaahhha.
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T. L59 seconds ago
Is this piece of garbage still alive? He reminds me of the stuff you find at the bottom of the hole in an outhouse. He is such a miserable old fart
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MikeTXabout a minute ago
This is what today's Democratic Party has become. Who's next in line for you, Satan?
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Randallabout a minute ago
Larry Flynt just can't get out of middle school. He is his own dirty joke.
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Silly Girlabout a minute ago
So many people in need of help - and u throw money for gossip - what a wasted human being you are - HeyObama needs money - why not send it to him - he is out there begging for it - Maybe the IRS needs to review ur accounts make sure ur paying ur fair share - since u have all this money to throw in... More
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Candyabout a minute ago
Flynt has embarrassed himself freely since he was born, now he has to pay someone to do the same to Parry; what a #$%$ bag!
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wildmanabout a minute ago
Ain't this ole piece of incestous child molester dead yet? This heathen is a shameful waste of O2. Yahoo should also be ashamed for even letting this ole HypicRAT bring his hate mongering trashy sub human carcass on Yahool. Send this turd to HP on AOL. there are more of his types there.
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Turnstilesabout a minute ago
This article has certainly brought out all the republicans with their morals, values and ethics issues. Too bad most of them don't practice what they preach.
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Geraldineabout a minute ago
I want a safe bet too I will double his million if it will get me on the front page
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DICK CHANEYabout a minute ago
What about the ape n the white house!
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Sdgdsg Sdgsdgabout a minute ago
LOL ... WOW ... some angry conservative bible thumpers in here this morning!
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sjabout a minute ago
Anthony Weiner embarassment was free....what a bargain!
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Lloydabout a minute ago
Hey yahoo and Reuters how about you stop with the lies, what about Ron Paul he is way a head of Perry and all of the other candidates try telling the dam truth.
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Cabout a minute ago
Offer a million dollars and every whore and faggot in the country will pop up with false "proof" of anything you ask them to. Even leftists ought to see through this human trash.
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Willie Wildmanabout a minute ago
How the hell is that pos trailer trash #$%$ flynt still alive?? Lets all donate to find a hitman that can actually hit his target and do the world a favor !!!
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