February 11, 2009 4:32 PM
- Text
Sen. Vitter Denies Prostitution Charges
(CBS/AP)
Sen. David Vitter vowed to return to Capitol Hill Tuesday, a day after emerging from a week of seclusion brought on when he admitted links to a Washington escort service that federal prosecutors allege was a prostitution ring.
Vitter, holding hands with his wife, Wendy, entered a news conference on Monday in suburban New Orleans where he again apologized for his past behavior and denied having relationships with New Orleans prostitutes.
"I want to again offer my deep, sincere apologies to all those I have let down and disappointed with actions from my past," Vitter said. "I am completely responsible, and I am so very, very sorry."
Vitter said that he and his wife had dealt with his past problems years ago and that she forgave him, reported CBS News affiliate WWL. He said that if his opponents wished to use his past failings to attack statements that he has made, "so be it."
"No matter how long ago it was, I know this hurt the relationship of trust I have enjoyed with so many of you, and I have a lot of work to do to rebuild that," he said.
He also offered no indication that he would resign. Instead, Vitter said he planned to continue working on the state's recovery after Hurricane Katrina.
"For my part, I'll be helping finalize a crucial water resources bill to provide much better hurricane and flood protection. I'll be fighting to complete I-49, Louisiana 28 and Louisiana 1 and much more," he said, adding that he planned to work for "good border and workplace security" as well.
On July 9, Vitter apologized for committing a "very serious sin in my past," acknowledging that his Washington phone number was among those called several years ago by an escort service run by Deborah Jeane Palfrey.
Federal prosecutors accuse Palfrey of racketeering by running a prostitution ring that netted more than $2 million over 13 years, beginning in 1993. She contends her escort service, Pamela Martin and Associates, was a legitimate business. Telephone records show that the service called Vitter's number five times from 1999 to 2001, while he was a U.S. representative.
Vitter, holding hands with his wife, Wendy, entered a news conference on Monday in suburban New Orleans where he again apologized for his past behavior and denied having relationships with New Orleans prostitutes.
"I want to again offer my deep, sincere apologies to all those I have let down and disappointed with actions from my past," Vitter said. "I am completely responsible, and I am so very, very sorry."
Vitter said that he and his wife had dealt with his past problems years ago and that she forgave him, reported CBS News affiliate WWL. He said that if his opponents wished to use his past failings to attack statements that he has made, "so be it."
"No matter how long ago it was, I know this hurt the relationship of trust I have enjoyed with so many of you, and I have a lot of work to do to rebuild that," he said.
He also offered no indication that he would resign. Instead, Vitter said he planned to continue working on the state's recovery after Hurricane Katrina.
"For my part, I'll be helping finalize a crucial water resources bill to provide much better hurricane and flood protection. I'll be fighting to complete I-49, Louisiana 28 and Louisiana 1 and much more," he said, adding that he planned to work for "good border and workplace security" as well.
On July 9, Vitter apologized for committing a "very serious sin in my past," acknowledging that his Washington phone number was among those called several years ago by an escort service run by Deborah Jeane Palfrey.
Federal prosecutors accuse Palfrey of racketeering by running a prostitution ring that netted more than $2 million over 13 years, beginning in 1993. She contends her escort service, Pamela Martin and Associates, was a legitimate business. Telephone records show that the service called Vitter's number five times from 1999 to 2001, while he was a U.S. representative.
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Stephen Smith Stephen Smith is a news producer and sports editor for CBSNews.com
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