Sen. David Vitter, R-La., issued a statement of contrition last night, just a few hours after the so-called D.C. Madam posted her clients' phone numbers on the Internet.
"This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible," Vitter says in a statement, according to the Associated Press. "Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling. Out of respect for my family, I will keep my discussion of the matter there -- with God and them. But I certainly offer my deep and sincere apologies to all I have disappointed and let down in any way."
Vitter was serving in the House when he came into contact with the escort service, which served wealthy men in and around the nation's capital for more than a decade. Political handicappers don't expect the revelations to have much of an effect on the 2010 elections, when the freshman senator's seat comes up again. "Voters will probably give him a second chance," pollster Bernie Pinsonat tells the The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune.
Vitter is the first elected official to be identified as a client of the alleged prostitution ring. Earlier this year, a high-level diplomat resigned after his name was linked to the scandal in an ABC News report based on phone records that covered 2003 to 2006.
The federal judge hearing Jeanne Palfrey's criminal case had barred the accused madam from releasing any additional records. That order has since been lifted, and Palfrey is now sharing the phone numbers through her website.
"I have reason to believe the disk - containing a full set of the telephone records for the 13 year operational history of 'Pamela Martin & Associates' - already has been pirated," Palfrey writes on her website.
She goes on to explain: Despite our very best intentions to maintain control of the information, our efforts seemingly have been for naught. I am concerned about manipulation of the database with false and misleading information. Even though such falsifications can be refuted in time by comparing an altered copy with the original, my attorney, Mr. Sibley and I fear that in the intervening time period, considerable damage can and will be done to the reputations of individual and entities with no connection to the business. Additionally, the overall validity of the records’ contents will be diminished when one false accusation after another begins to manifest. Therefore, to thwart any possible distorted version and to ensure the integrity of the information, the records – in their entirety -- are available for downloading.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/07/accused-dc-mada.html
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