News

Actions

Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox calls out Overstock.com’s Jonathan Johnson in tweets about porn

Posted at 1:21 PM, Apr 20, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-20 15:21:34-04

SALT LAKE CITY — After gubernatorial candidate and Overstock.com chairman Jonathon Johnson decried pornography via Twitter Wednesday morning,  Lt. Governor Spencer Cox called him out because Penthouse magazine subscriptions are available for sale on Overstock.com.

It started when Johnson tweeted “I applaud the #utleg for their foresight to declare #pornography a public health hazard.”

Cox responded by tweeting “You forgot to applaud Gov. Herbert. It’s ok, I got this. 👏👏👏 P.S. Really wish Overstock didn’t sell porn. #utpol”

Earlier in the day, Johnson had also tweeted about Hustler magazine founder Larry Flynt, who, according to a Washington Times article, plans to send every member of the Utah Legislature a copy of the latest issue of Hustler.

“The statement from [Flynt] founder of [Hustler] saying he will send a copy to every member of the #utleg is revolting & disgraceful,” Johnson wrote.

Cox used Johnson’s tweet about Hustler as fodder for his next tweet, which included the question “Will you commit that your company will stop selling Mr. Flynt’s porn?” and a link to the Overstock.com page where Penthouse magazine subscriptions are sold. (Flynt neither owns nor publishes Penthouse magazine.)

According to Spencer Cox’s LinkedIn profile, Cox was “Vice President & General Counsel” for CentraCom Interactive between 2003 and 2013. CentraCom Interactive is a telecommunications company that provides Internet, cable television and telephone services. Among the cable TV services listed in channel guides on CentraCom’s website (here and here) are Adult PPV (Pay-Per-View) offerings.

See Johnson’s and Cox’s tweets below: