WASHINGTON , April 7, 2008

GOP Senator May Testify At Sex Trial

Defense Lists David Vitter As Possible Witness For Woman Accused Of Running D.C. Prostitution Ring

    • Sen. David Vitter

      Sen. David Vitter  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

    • Sen. David Vitter, R-La., speaks to the media with his wife Wendy Vitter in Metairie, La., Monday, July 16, 2007.

      Sen. David Vitter, R-La., speaks to the media with his wife Wendy Vitter in Metairie, La., Monday, July 16, 2007.  (CBS)

    • Publisher Larry Flynt, left, and Wendy Ellis hold a news conference Sept. 11, 2007, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Ellis says she had a sexual relationship with Sen. David Vitter, R-La., in 1999, when he was a state legislator.

      Publisher Larry Flynt, left, and Wendy Ellis hold a news conference Sept. 11, 2007, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Ellis says she had a sexual relationship with Sen. David Vitter, R-La., in 1999, when he was a state legislator.  (AP)

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(AP)  Louisiana Sen. David Vitter may be called to testify in the upcoming trial of a woman accused of running a high-end Washington prostitution ring.

The Republican senator was identified Monday as one of several possible witnesses as jury selection began in the racketeering and money laundering case against Deborah Palfrey.

Vitter has acknowledged being involved with her escort service. But after issuing brief statements apologizing for "a very serious sin," he has ducked follow-up questions.

On the witness stand, he would not have that luxury. One of Palfrey's previous attorneys has said he wanted to make Vitter say exactly what services Palfrey's company provided the senator.

Palfrey maintains that her firm, Pamela Martin and Associates, offered fantasy services, not sexual ones. Any woman who sold sex was a "rogue escort" who violated company policy, she says.

Vitter's attorney did not return a message seeking comment Monday.

Palfrey's attorney, Preston Burton, also named Randall Tobias, a former senior State Department official, as a possible witness. Tobias resigned his post last year after phone records linked him to the escort service.

Prosecutors listed among their witnesses several former escorts as well as military strategist Harlan Ullman, who is known for developing the "shock and awe" warfare strategy.

Palfrey says Ullman was a regular client. Ullman has declined to discuss what he has called "outrageous allegations."


© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Add a Comment See all 52 Comments
by keithle1 April 9, 2008 10:50 PM EDT
Barney Frank isn''t a hypocrite. He doesn''t adopt a holier-than-thou attitude. He doesn''t judge people or condemn them for their private lives. Frank is not trying to shove Jesus/the flag/Mom/apple pie/patriotism down everyone''s throats like more than a few Republicans.

Reply to this comment
by termtex01 April 9, 2008 8:48 AM EDT
And if you are gonna cite my sources about Barney Frank as being right-wing, ask CBS why there is nothing in their online search about it? Why has that story been deleted from CBS''s database?
Reply to this comment
by termtex01 April 9, 2008 8:37 AM EDT
There''s more to proof Barney Frank paid for a prostitute and STILL he gets to stay in his job. Where''s the justice and fairness, eh?:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,216839,00.html

"Democratic Rep. Barney Frank toughed it out after the House reprimanded him in 1989 for using his influence on behalf of prostitute Stephen L. Gobie. Frank admitted paying Gobie for ***, hiring him with his own money as an aide and writing a letter on congressional stationery on his behalf."
Reply to this comment
by termtex01 April 9, 2008 8:32 AM EDT
Or what about this follow-up:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/tours/scandal/gobie2.htm

"Frank, one of two openly gay members of Congress, confirmed Friday that he paid Gobie for ***, hired him with personal funds as an aide and wrote letters on congressional stationery on his behalf to Virginia probation officials, but Frank said he fired Gobie when he learned that clients were visiting the apartment."
Reply to this comment
by termtex01 April 9, 2008 8:23 AM EDT
"WRONG. Barney Frank NEVER WENT TO ANY PROSTITUTE. Yes, he is gay. But I have not read or seen any information or news where Barney Frank paid for a prostitute -
Posted by zoe2006 at 12:33 PM : Apr 08, 2008"

Barney Frank didn''t have to pay, he got it for free:

"On the August 25, 1989 World News Tonight, Sam Donaldson noted it just once in passing, a mere 67 words:

"Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank, an acknowledged h.o.m.o.s.e.x.u.a.l, today confirmed that his Washington apartment had been used as a callboy headquarters by a male prostitute for a year and a half until late 1987. Responding to a story in today''s Washington Times, Frank said he had hired the prostitute out of his own funds as a personal aide and fired him when he found out what was going on."
"


A year and a half, and Barney Frank claims he didn''t know a g.a.y. prostitution ring was operating out of his house?

If you believe that, you wanna buy some swamp land as well?
Reply to this comment
by keithle1 April 8, 2008 11:15 PM EDT
That''s the standard facial expression when men are involved in hanky panky.

This quote is amusing: Any woman who sold s e x was a "rogue escort" who violated company policy, she says. Tee hee. They were just selling "companionship." Someone to go see a Checkhov play with. Entertaining conversation.

Men don''t go out with women who aren''t escorts/hookers with s e x on their mind. Oh no. That''s the last thing we want. That''s why the plain/homely/fugly women are fought over by the heterosexual males.
Reply to this comment
by honestabe8 April 8, 2008 6:38 PM EDT
aldon: how does seeking prostitution show a moral weakness?
Reply to this comment
by aldon61 April 8, 2008 5:16 PM EDT
Why does most everything posted here have to be partisan? Seeking prostitution shows a moral weakness; it is not defined by being Republican nor Democrat. We all have our own sins, we best deal with those. As to him being forgiven, that is up to God and the citizens of Louisianna and they''ll decide that when and if he runs again. Keep politics out of this and give it a rest!
Reply to this comment
by mjvw2 April 8, 2008 4:24 PM EDT
A hot dog is a type of fully-cooked, cured and/or smoked moist sausage of soft, even, texture and flavor. It is usually placed hot in a soft, sliced bun of approximately the same length as the sausage, and optionally garnished with condiments and toppings.

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by parrot123-2009 April 8, 2008 2:36 PM EDT
He should have Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) as a character witness.
Posted by kissamaarse

Well he definitely should have Gov. Spritzer too.
Posted by mudrose at 04:49 PM : Apr 07, 2008

Nah, Spritz took responsibility and resigned ..... Repugs don''t have the same morals - he''d probably sink them. Cheers!
Reply to this comment
by nolalou April 8, 2008 1:49 PM EDT
At least Vitter, as a conservative Republican was more frugal with his money, paying only a few hundred for the same services NY Gov. Spitzer paid thousands for!

Reply to this comment
by stn_sage April 8, 2008 1:26 PM EDT
EVIL LIBERALS. They are exactly what is wrong with this country and why our children are running wild with no moral compass.

Oh, wait. This guy is a Republican????

Well then, we shouldn''''t judge him but uplift our brother to the forgiveness of the Lord, as the Good Book and Jesus says.
Posted by AaaBee at 09:31 AM : Apr 08, 2008
---------
Why is he still in office? Oh ya, he is a Republican and they don''''t have to follow the same rules the Right pushes on the rest of us. They forgive each other in tear filled media events. It''''s the non-right they don''''t forgive and demand be removed from office.
Posted by jjp735i at 06:13 AM : Apr 08, 2008
---------
My response: NICE. You two have the situation NAILED!
Reply to this comment
by karlo59 April 8, 2008 1:18 PM EDT
Vitter is just another phoney christian like ALL the other rebubs.
Reply to this comment
by byeneocons April 8, 2008 12:54 PM EDT
Vitter got into office by campaigning against Livingston''s marital infidelity and Clinton''s bj.

The next time someone has to tell you what a highly moral christian they are.....
Reply to this comment
by mudrose-2009 April 8, 2008 12:37 PM EDT
He joins with that great group of skeeves, Ted Kennedy, Barney Frank, Larry Craig, Elliot Spritzer and Dave Paterson....the endless array of fools who just don''t honor their commitments to family. Good job Vitter, great job Ted, Barney, Larry, Elliot, Dave. Keep it up. You are giving the younger generation quite the message that even murderers and perverts can be elected to government.
Reply to this comment
by vet_sk April 8, 2008 12:36 PM EDT
Nothing says here it was not a male prostitute.
Reply to this comment
by vet_sk April 8, 2008 12:35 PM EDT
""Associates, offered fantasy services, not sexual ones. Any woman who sold *** was a "rogue escort" who violated company policy, she says. ""

fantasy services: I don''t even want to know what twisted fantasy services here wanted. The GOP strikes again.
Reply to this comment
by aaabee-2009 April 8, 2008 12:31 PM EDT
EVIL LIBERALS. They are exactly what is wrong with this country and why our children are running wild with no moral compass.

Oh, wait. This guy is a Republican????

Well then, we shouldn''t judge him but uplift our brother to the forgiveness of the Lord, as the Good Book and Jesus says.
Reply to this comment
by generey April 8, 2008 12:11 PM EDT
Vitter with a woman prostitute - NOT TRUE - he''''s Republican! Everyone knows they like MEN!




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Posted by watcher269 at 02:43 AM : Apr 08, 2008


A Swinger????
Reply to this comment
by jjp735i April 8, 2008 9:13 AM EDT
Why is he still in office? Oh ya, he is a Republican and they don''t have to follow the same rules the Right pushes on the rest of us. They forgive each other in tear filled media events. It''s the non-right they don''t forgive and demand be removed from office.
Reply to this comment
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