Did 'Hustler' Do In Livingston?

(CBS)  In the wake of Bob Livingston's shocking announcement Saturday morning that he would not serve as speaker of the House, many questions were left unanswered.

One key one: where did the short, explosive saga begin? It may have started with Larry Flynt.

Hustler magazine and its porn purveying publisher Larry Flynt says he was the one investigating Livingston. In October, Flynt took out a newspaper ad promising $1 million for proof of sexual affairs with married congressmen. He claims his information on Livingston led to the admission.

"He knew it was gonna come out and he felt he would preempt it by making a sort of bland admission," said Flynt.

Livingston revealed the affairs after Hustler magazine asked him for comment about claims by at least four women that they had had liaisons with him, Flynt said. The women called the magazine after it offered a reward to anyone who could prove an affair with a member of Congress, he said. Flynt claimed Friday he has gathered evidence showing that Livingston has had possibly a dozen extramarital affairs within the past 10 years.

Some Republicans charged this was a White House operation but the White House and Flynt deny it.

In any

event, most Democrats pleaded for an end to bedroom journalism.

"The politics of smear and slash and burn must end," said House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt.

CBS Worldwide Inc., All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report