Congressional candidate’s wife says there was no battery

Supit Ying Moss

Jasper, Indiana

I thank the Evansville Courier & Press for this opportunity to respond to their article of last Saturday morning reporting on an incident that allegedly accused my good husband, Dr. Richard Moss, of misdemeanor battery in our Jasper home 23 years ago. It has been a dark cloud hanging above our family all these years and I would now like to set the record straight.

Though we had a marital spat, at no time was there physical contact between us, and definitely no battery occurred then or at any time during our time together. Though it was reported as a domestic disturbance, I feel my poor and broken English at the time, and the emotional distress I was suffering, miscommunicated what actually occurred to the investigating officers who struggled to understand what I meant to say.

Thankfully, the prosecuting attorney at the time recognized this misunderstanding and dismissed all charges.

It was only a misunderstanding between a husband and wife, 23 years ago. Nothing more.

I have been married 26 years to Rick who is now running for Congress in Indiana's 8th District for the Republican Party. He has my most ardent support. Rick's family, being his first constituency, stands behind him fully.

Rick and I first met in Thailand where we were married and where I assisted his surgeries as a nurse. We traveled throughout Southeast Asia on a motorcycle together for three years treating head and neck cancer victims that had little or no other access to health care. Our efforts were entirely voluntary. We received little or no compensation. Our work was highly acclaimed and decorated in my country, Thailand, as well as in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Burma.

Upon our return to the USA we settled in Jasper and began our family and a private practice in medicine. We have been blessed with four children: Arielle, Noah, Adina, and Isaiah. Arielle is now teaching English on a Fulbright Scholarship in Morocco. Noah is a junior at IU, and Adina and Isaiah are in middle school in Jasper. Rick is a loving father and husband. He has always been active in raising our children. He also is a devoted son and wrote a book about his beloved mother and her struggles to raise her five sons in the Bronx as a single Mom.

I should mention that Rick is Jewish and very devoted to his faith. I converted to Judaism and together we have raised our four children as young Jews. Richard and I are strong supporters of Israel. We are grateful for the support many Christians give to Israel. We believe strongly that our country is founded on Judeo-Christian principles.

In closing let me reiterate that the misunderstanding reported in the paper recently was a difference of opinion that never resulted in physical contact or battery. It occurred 23 years ago. Rick and I are happily married for 26 years with four outstanding and accomplished children. That is the real story of Rick and our family.