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 Photo

      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. Photo

      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. Photo

      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.

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Add a Comment See all 52 Comments
by cdfoxtrot April 7, 2008 1:32 PM PDT
How come Eliot Spitzer got hounded out of office in about two days and this Repiglican gets away with the same thing? The GOP hypocrites seem willing to stoop to any level and have no honor.
Reply to this comment
by byeneocons April 7, 2008 1:44 PM PDT
All you have to do is swear you are a compassionate conservative pro family pro life christian and the neocons swallow it hook, line and sinker.
Reply to this comment
by noloyalisti April 7, 2008 1:52 PM PDT
As long as you are good at deceit, corruption and lying, you can join the GOP. I hope now that people will figure this out and sweep them all out of the government supposed to be by, of and for the people.
Reply to this comment
by Gary Kempf April 7, 2008 2:10 PM PDT
So when do our representatives have time to govern?
Seems most of their attention is directed to needs three feet below their heads. They must have a different stimulus package than what the rest of us got.


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Posted by dragonwagon5 at 01:19 PM : Apr 07, 2008
+ report abuse

Good point. Wonder what tax deduction their stimulus package falls under???
Reply to this comment
by stn_sage April 7, 2008 2:21 PM PDT
Geez, I''ll believe this, when I SEE it!

Make a sleazy, corrupt, Republican senator testify about a prostitution service he used---since when?!

These guys have been ABOVE THE LAW---is the law going to start being applied to them, now?! Why? Just because their power over govt is waning, and a couple will be sacrificed to the public, so the rest can go Scot free?!

Naw, they''ll cut some deal, so he doesn''t have to testify in public, and the record will be sealed so the public has no idea what he said! And then, he''ll carry on, ''business as normal'', and the citizens of Louisiana will reelect and send this pervert back to Congress to represent them! Thanks, Louisiana!
Reply to this comment
by Gary Kempf April 7, 2008 2:30 PM PDT
I figured, Mrs. Vitter already made them into ear rings. He is just having phantom pain.
Reply to this comment
by bogusbones April 7, 2008 2:37 PM PDT
no, not another elected official involved in some *** operation. what i don''t get is why we bother ourselves with this tripe. *** and politics is as old as, well *** and politics. it''s going to happen. who cares who mr. vitter is sleeping with as long as it isn''t some underworld spy or the wife of a close friend. someone should write a song about that.
Reply to this comment
by fridak-2009 April 7, 2008 3:02 PM PDT
All you have to do is swear you are a compassionate conservative pro family pro life christian and the neocons swallow it hook, line and sinker.

They swallow it?
Reply to this comment
by paris1969 April 7, 2008 3:04 PM PDT
Vitter should face the same call to resign as Craig did ... but he won''t because his state has a Dem governor who will replace him with a Democrat.
Reply to this comment
by speakinup April 7, 2008 3:20 PM PDT
"As long as you are good at deceit, corruption and lying, you can join the GOP. I hope now that people will figure this out and sweep them all out of the government supposed to be by, of and for the people.
Posted by noloyalisti

"All you have to do is swear you are a compassionate conservative pro family pro life christian and the neocons swallow it hook, line and sinker. Posted by ByeNeocons





"I DID NOT HAVE S3X WITH THAT WOMAN, MONICA LEWINSKY !" - Bill Clinton


Yeah - if you wag your finger at the public, I suppose you get to have everyone of your idiot followers forget about the tryst, AND keep your job.

noloyalisti, and bye neocons: Remove the plank from your eye before looking at the speck in mine, ok.
Reply to this comment
by kennergirl April 7, 2008 3:27 PM PDT
Our governor is now a Republican. As of the beginning of this year. Our previous Gov was a Democrat (Kathleen Blanco). She did not run for a 2nd term because of the fiasco that has followed Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

I think people make too much of a big deal about who their congressman, governor and etc. sleeps with. Like another poster said, "*** and politics have a long history together." And I agree. Get over it and move on to something that is really important.
Reply to this comment
by skyk-2009 April 7, 2008 3:45 PM PDT
Yeah - if you wag your finger at the public, I suppose you get to have everyone of your idiot followers forget about the tryst, AND keep your job.

noloyalisti, and bye neocons: Remove the plank from your eye before looking at the speck in mine, ok.


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Posted by speakinup at 03:20 PM : Apr 07, 2008
+ report abuse

Oh PLEASE! Someone who has called 90% of the people on here names because they wouldn''t buy into the LIES of Bush to come on and say something THIS stupid!! LOL Clinton''s lie didn''t hurt anyone but him. Bush''s lies have cost us over 4,000 of our finest AND a Trillion Dollars WE DO NOT have.
Reply to this comment
by ixoye_02 April 7, 2008 3:51 PM PDT
Where Senator Craig? Perhaps Craig should testify too because Craig might have been in the stall next to where all the action occurred...... ;-)
Reply to this comment
by speakinup April 7, 2008 4:06 PM PDT
skyk - WOW Baby - spin outta control!!!!

Put one tangent on top of another !!! But, then again, I AM responding to a Democrat - so it is excuseable.


Sky-king - the topic was politicians and s3x, not bush and your lies about him (tangent 1).


And, from there you went to the war on terror and the cost (tangent 2).




WOW, nice job! Yup, you''re qualified. You''re a far left democrat: fullacr@p!!! - well, finger it out dude.

Not everything in the world is about YOUR perception of the world problems.


Grow a brain before you log on, ok.
Reply to this comment
by heathme2003 April 7, 2008 4:15 PM PDT
I''m with you, dragonwagon5!!
Reply to this comment
by nolalou April 7, 2008 4:17 PM PDT
The fact that Republican Vitter is still in office when Democrat NY Governor Spitzer had to quit for basically the same thing says a lot. (except Vitter , being a true fiscal conservative, paid a lot less for the same type of service!)

One difference is when the Vitter story broke last year, Louisiana had a Democratic governor. So if Vitter had quit , he would have been replaced with a democrat, giving them one more seat to add to their narrow majority!
Reply to this comment
by byeneocons April 7, 2008 4:22 PM PDT
Nolalou: For an excellent sendup of Vitter''s follies, see the latest issue of The New Orleans Levee: "David Vitter Prays He Can Get Away With It."
It also discussed the 50 million taxpayer dollars he allocated to teach abstinence. If you''re not in nola, you can read it at nolevee.com...
Reply to this comment
by prinzowhales April 7, 2008 4:23 PM PDT
They used to call them "honey traps"...they never advertized themselves as "underworld spies"...the point was to lure the target into bed and get the goods on them for blackmail. A philanderer is a security risk...a pundit once quipped that the first rule of politics was not to be caught in bed with a ''live boy or a dead woman''...that leaves a lot of grey area in between.
Reply to this comment
by kissamaarse April 7, 2008 4:25 PM PDT
He should have Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) as a character witness.
Reply to this comment
by mudrose-2009 April 7, 2008 4:49 PM PDT
He should have Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) as a character witness.
Posted by kissamaarse

Well he definitely should have Gov. Spritzer too.
Reply to this comment
by bud28dy April 7, 2008 7:23 PM PDT
I thought Spitzer did the right thing by resigning but apparently the GOP has a double standard when it comes to their politicians, This news on Vitter broke last summer and he''s still in the Senate. So is Larry Craig. Hopefully this trial will finally force the Republicans to do the right thing.
Reply to this comment
by singingrick April 7, 2008 7:34 PM PDT


Ah yes, the good "family values" prostitute enthusiast Senator David Vittter.

lol!





Reply to this comment
by jjarden April 7, 2008 9:09 PM PDT
And WHY is this guy still a Senator? He broke the law, and NOW he is obstructing Justice saying he won''t testify! He should be run out of town on a Rail! WHY...WHY do we the American People ALLOW Scumbags Like This to Remain in Office? He shouldn;t even have a CHOICE to remain in office!
Reply to this comment
by rushlimpdrug April 7, 2008 10:13 PM PDT

He is still a lousy-ana senator?

Perhaps his daughters can testify on how
he is such a great father and sincerely
believes in his republican conservative
compassionate christian values.

Or his wife could testify on how he loves
her in a way he could never love a prostitute
or ''ho.
She could also testify on how he loves his
children.

Man, come to think about it this guy does a lot of lovin''!

Lousy-ana you do deserve your senator.
Reply to this comment
by jerr11 April 7, 2008 10:34 PM PDT
Hey why are we picking on this guy?

Nothing wrong with a guy who wants some diversion!

At least he''s not text messaging young male pages like his buddy, Mark Pedofoley, or tapdancing in airport restrooms!

LOL



Reply to this comment
by mainedoggie April 7, 2008 10:58 PM PDT
SINNER. GOD *** you.

How dare you blackmark our good religion. Where are your family values. You can''t just hide behind the flag of rebels and rednecks, call yourself a neo-con and stick hot young hookers in the name of power.

Bad, bad conservative.

idiot republican.


Reply to this comment
by mainedoggie April 7, 2008 11:01 PM PDT
His wife is a bit of a looker for an older gal. Probably gives good head.

Reply to this comment
by kissamaarse April 7, 2008 11:19 PM PDT
His wife may be tapping her foot along with Senator Larry Craig, R-ID, trying to draw the freak out of him. Sick Republicans.
Reply to this comment
by ranger1948 April 8, 2008 1:36 AM PDT
Who better to call as an expert witness than a politician. They know how to screw everyone, and everything.
Reply to this comment
by samrensho April 8, 2008 2:12 AM PDT
These GOP types tell you how to live and then do just the opposite. Typical of the immoral majority.
Reply to this comment
by watcher269-2009 April 8, 2008 2:43 AM PDT
Vitter with a woman prostitute - NOT TRUE - he''s Republican! Everyone knows they like MEN!

Reply to this comment
by brianbwb-2009 April 8, 2008 3:47 AM PDT
"Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"You mean the Republican truth?"

"No, I mean the truth"

"I can''t promise that, but I can only say that I will state, to the best of my recollection..."

"Ok, ok, I withdraw the question. Let me put it this way, Do you solemnly swear to tell a lie, the whole lie, and nothing but the lie?"

"I do."
Reply to this comment
by jjp735i April 8, 2008 6:13 AM PDT
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
by generey April 8, 2008 9:11 AM PDT
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 aaabee-2009 April 8, 2008 9:31 AM PDT
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 vet_sk April 8, 2008 9:35 AM PDT
""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 vet_sk April 8, 2008 9:36 AM PDT
Nothing says here it was not a male prostitute.
Reply to this comment
by mudrose-2009 April 8, 2008 9:37 AM PDT
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 byeneocons April 8, 2008 9:54 AM PDT
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 karlo59 April 8, 2008 10:18 AM PDT
Vitter is just another phoney christian like ALL the other rebubs.
Reply to this comment
by stn_sage April 8, 2008 10:26 AM PDT
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 nolalou April 8, 2008 10:49 AM PDT
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 parrot123-2009 April 8, 2008 11:36 AM PDT
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 mjvw2 April 8, 2008 1:24 PM PDT
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.

Reply to this comment
by aldon61 April 8, 2008 2:16 PM PDT
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 honestabe8 April 8, 2008 3:38 PM PDT
aldon: how does seeking prostitution show a moral weakness?
Reply to this comment
by keithle1 April 8, 2008 8:15 PM PDT
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 termtex01 April 9, 2008 5:23 AM PDT
"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 termtex01 April 9, 2008 5:32 AM PDT
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 5:37 AM PDT
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
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