Isn't "turpitude" sufficient? Isn't "moral turpitude" somewhat tautologous? In any case, it is all about when one's morals take a deep dive into unrighteousness, depravity, debauchery, libertinage, villainy, dissipation... and so forth. And in some form of words or another, there is very likely a "morals clause" in your publishing contract.
"Under U.S. Codes I.N.A. § 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(I) and I.N.A. § 237(a)(2)(A)(i), just having a conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude on your record can be used to dispute your visa or green card application. You may also be deported from the United States and have your visa or green card revoked."
One is supposed to have been convicted of something (CIMT), that is a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude, before one's residency, employment, publishing contract et cetera can be suspended or terminated, but due process is not adhered to scrupulously in these Crucible days.
In some cases, an accusation, or a sustained scandal is sufficient cause for a publisher to invoke a morals clause and drop an author, as was pointed out by the Authors Guild in an important January 2019 article on why the AG opposes morals clauses in book contracts.
“In the event that Author is publicly accused of the violation of law, the infringement or invasion of the rights of any third party, inciting infringement or invasion of third-party rights by others, or is otherwise accused of libel, slander, or defamatory conduct, or any other conduct that subjects, or could be reasonably anticipated to subject Author or Publisher to ridicule, contempt, scorn, hatred, or censure by the general public or which is likely to materially diminish the sales of the Work, Publisher may terminate…”
So, that's what moral turpitude has to do with all of us.
All the best,
