CNN's Carol Costello reports Sen. Vitter faces new prostitute allegations.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Republican Sen. David Vitter, who admitted earlier this year to a "very serious sin" after his telephone number appeared in the telephone records of a Washington, DC escort service, faced new allegations Tuesday he had a relationship with a prostitute from his home state of Louisiana.
With Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt at her side, the former prostitute Wendy Ellis told reporters that Vitter employed her services several times a week between July and November of 1999. At the time, Vitter was a new face Capitol Hill, having won a special election only months earlier.
"I want the truth to be known," Ellis said. "It was a pure sexual relationship. He would come in and do his business."
Vitter, who acknowledged in July to contacting an escort service after Hustler reported his number was linked to the alleged 'DC Madam' Deborah Jeanne Palfrey,' has denied any links to Louisiana prostitutes.
"My admission has encouraged long-time political enemies and those hoping to profit from the situation to spread falsehoods, like those New Orleans stories in recent reporting,” Vitter said in July. “Those stories are not true.”
On Tuesday, Flynt said Ellis' passed a polygraph test, but he had no other evidence linking the senator to the former prostitute.
"We don't even like to mix polygraphs into this stuff, because they're not admissible in court," he said. "But you know she's concerned that she be believed as much as Vitter is believed."
Ellis herself added, "I want the truth to be known, I've been called a liar and a liar I'm not."
Earlier in the year, Flynt launched a campaign to publicize lawmakers who he believed are sexual hypocrites by offering up to $1 million for evidence of impropriety.
Vitter's office did not respond to a request for comment, but his spokesman did issue a statement to the New Orleans Times-Picayune saying, "Sen. Vitter and his wife have addressed all of this very directly. The senator is focused on important Louisiana priorities like the water resources bill and the Iraq debate."
– CNN's Carol Costello contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
© 2011 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Contact us | Work for us | Help
Prostitutes and Polygraphs – THAT's what Larry Flynt has??
Question – how much is Wendy Ellis being paid to make this claim?
Mr Vitter must answer to his family and his constituents (just as Mr Craig). Unless Mr Vitter has been called into court and lied under oath about this matter – nothing else to discuss.
Oh well, why I am not surprised? Another case of Republican hypocrisy... When are these guys stop preaching??
Larry Flynt is a hero and I very much appreciate his help at outing the many hypocritical people in our government.
Right, the only people that have to own up to behavior are democrats. There is no higher standard.
James, of course there is more to discuss. As a law-abiding God-fearing Christian American I do NOT want scum like this to represent me in my government. Voters will remember this slime come 2008, even if he doesn't see his day in court, we understand full-well what he has done. He has done his part to leave a taint upon the Republican party that will not depart.
James,
If you think that someone repeatedly calls an escort service but does not partake of any of the "services" you are just as naive as Vitter's wife. Personally, I don't care whether he slept with 20 prostitutes and it doesn't bother me in the least if Senator Craig is a homosexual (though both of these men probably wouldn't be in office if their voters discovered this). The problem I have with both of them is their hypocrisy.
That's all Flynt needs. Let the truth come out, Vitter, and let the LA voters decide whether it's relevant or not.
The continued Republican hypocrisy. The party for "Family Values" is an absolute joke.
CNN and the rest of the press should be embarrassed to serve as the mouthpiece for Hustler's Flynt and publish such trash.
It seems all republican leaders involve in either Prostitution and Polygamy or corruption, if not finding same sex partner in the airport. Republican morality and ethics equalls to muslim fundamentalism!
God will judge him. He'll also judge you too Mr. Flint, but that's another story.
I've called for Vitter to step down some time ago. If you all from LA don't protest it, you'll just suffer more than you are. C'mon guys, where is the outrage there??
Vitter is AT LEAST as guilty as "Wide Stance Larry". And, just like Larry Craig, Vitter has admitted it. So why isn't he out? Just because there's a Democratic Governor in Louisiana, who would appoint a Democratic replacement to the Senate. In Idaho there is a Republican Governor. So the Republicans are happy to throw Craig to the wolves. See? No principles at all. Just another Republican double standard.
HHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAA!!!! Me thinks Mr. Vitter got caught with his pants down ... AGAIN! Are ALL Republicans that sexually repressed that they must frequent prostitutes, both male and female? This from the party of "Family Values" ... the odorous stench of Republican hypocrisy ... REFRESHING!!
Yeah, I bet that's what you were saying when they were all over Clinton, right James?
Regardless, it makes a family values bible-thumper like Vitter into a total hypocrite!
Hurry; everybody jump on this band wagon! With all this sustenance; how could this story rate any less of our infidel nation? Infidelity at it’s finest running rapid throughout our world; also according to some of Americans enemies. Like Larry Flynt has never had a relationship with a prostitute in his life. God shall be the judge of man; not man him self. Just keep reporting the important issues CNN: What a great job, continue on! Too bad Larry flynt is not dead; from the looks of his photograph he should be dead.
Vitter will be done in the next election. That's the difference between Democrats and Republicans.
Great another in a long string of political hypocracy by a republican who champions family values.
Wow how thoughtful of the prostitute to onlyt "want the truth to be known". Where was this desire for the truth to be known when she was committing a crime by taking money for sex. Oh wait that is right, you weren't being offered a million bucks to cough up the truth then.
Lets face it, the only reason that Vitter wasn't pressured to step down is because his replacement would have been chosen by a Democratic governor. If not for that he would have gotten the same treatment that Craig got...
I am so sick of this crappy system we have that gives people less punishment for ratting someone else out. If you commit the crime you should do the time. Helping in an investigation should be taken into consideration after the person has started serving their sentence and been on their best behavior, not before the person is sentenced
3 cheers for the scum of the earth.
Flynt and his girl are true Americans.
The 2nd statement was a joke by the way.
Mark – CNN + the mainstream press should be embarassed of their failure at investigative journalism over the last 6 years and that Flynt has to be the one at the forefront. Vitter is the lying scumbag, not Flynt.
It amazes me that anyone would care what scum like Larry Flint says. Our country's moral are all going to hell and these scumballs are the first in line to take us there. I sure hope the God fearing people in this country get on their knees at night, cause God knows we need the prayers.
Forgive us Lord!
Hey RightyTighty:
http://www.time.com/time/columnist/printout/0,8816,536170,00.html
That should answer your mistaken impression of the 'Mission Accomplished' banner. Either way, way to entirely miss the point about Bush prematurely declaring "accomplishment" where he had no reason to do so.
A southern politician from New Orleans is implicated in some sexual misconduct (none of that ever goes on in the Big Easy!) and its all over CNN. Another politician is caught red handed with tens of thousands in bribes, and the guy gets re-elected. Amazing.
I agree w. those who say LET THE VOTERS DECIDE the morality thing. Like Larry Craigs' "scandal" we each are called upon to judge.
This "scandal" is the same thing. You have to look at the timing and the motivation. IT's all about politics.
There's an old story about Arizona when it was granted statehood 1914. The two top cities, Phoenix and Tucson were given a choice of either having a prison or a university built. Phoenix, the larger of the two, thought there would be more money in prisons so the citizens chose a prison. Tucson, by default received a university.
I'm skeptical that anyone from Phoenix is capable of making an intelligent comment about any subject.
Good job Larry keep up the good work and rid congress of all hypocrites that will mean most of the GOP seats will be vacant...We dems are not perfect but we are diverse and whether we agree agree with someone elses lifestyle or not we do not preach or judge them as the republicans do...
Very Funny, (As a law-abiding God-fearing Christian American I do NOT want scum like this to represent me in my government.)Are you serious?? Then there will be nobody in office... Wake UP!!!!! They're all scum!!!
When things like this come out. I always wonder what is the motivation behind it. It happened in 1999, why wait 8 years. Are people doing things to use them as political bullets at a later date?
This bothers me greatly. This isn't Republican hypocrisy. Just because you stand for something doesn't mean you can't fall into that same thing in which you say you stand for. Any Christian is vulnerable to having a sexual relationship outside of marriage or sex with the same gender. Does it make it right? Of course not.
It is like a guy who says I will never kill another human being. But if a person breaks in the house in the middle of the night, here comes Smith & Wesson. He will not aim to hit and injure, but aim to kill for the preservation of his and his families' life.
Everybody is becoming really greedy for power and influence. And most of them don't care whose lives they wreck in the process of it.
The Republican party is in such a shambles, it amazes me that ANYbody wants to run for office with that designation. These men are the ultimate in hypocrisy. While spouting their mantra of family values, morals, judgment and intolerance, they are living lives lacking in integrity, responsibility, or honesty. The fact that their wives are foolish enough to stand next to them in their photo ops and gaze adoringly at them disgusts me. January 2009 cannot come quickly enough. Sweep all those war-mongering, hateful, pious, bigots out of office.
Larry Flyntt!!! Mr. Exploitation of young women...comes to the rescue of a poor "FORMER? PROSTITUTE" who wants to come clean (after 8 years) about some dirty politician? Give me a break! I bet in a couple of months she will be on the COVER of Hustler! This would not make her a "FORMER PROSTITUTE" anymore because she is still being pimped... It’s actually worst now because it’s in front of the world. Very sad!
Sirs:
So when is someone going to actually stand up and represent the people of the United States?? As a People, we continually vote for persons we trust, but they eventually end up serving themselves and special interests. When are the American people, as a whole, going to be heard??
Don Rankin
4717 Rd 70Y
Torrington, Wy. 82240
He needs to resign. His behavior discredits our nation and the Republican family values he purports to represent. He's another Larry Craig this nation does not need. We expect and need these guys to focus on caring for this nation.
Why would these people get involved in this instance if it wasn't for money. I was ill hearing the muckrakeing of the Clinton sex scandle in the 1990's and turned off at the Rep and now the Dems are doing are doing it. I'm sorry, If your attacking the person it means you cant attack their position on the issues. This is depressing.
The country is going down the tubes! Larry Flynt, America's last bastion of political integrity.
Please.
Ayveel in Dallas,
So what your saying is a prostitute broke into Sen. Vitter's home and he had to have relations with her to save his family? Well, I feel like a fool for criticizing him now. Here I thought he was a hypocrite. Reality is he's a guy protecting his family.
Spraynardkruger and John – Kansas City, MO
Unless you're a Republican living in Louisiana – your outrage has little value. Democrats living in LA wouldn't vote for Vitter regardless.
I'm a conservative and certainly do not condone his choices – but they are HIS choices. The GOP didn't have anything to do with Vitters personal choices, so anyone blaming the GOP obviously has an ax to grind with Republicans to being with.
Louisiana Republicans will deal with this issue at the next election. Just as Barny Frank's constituents, just as Gary Condit's constituents, just as....
Absolutely hilarious!
Larry Flynt the last bastion of American integrity? Now I KNOW the country is lost.
Now we want to grant you permission to go and do what what you want to do but not with our tax dollars, Goodbyeeee...
/***
Mr Vitter must answer to his family and his constituents (just as Mr Craig). Unless Mr Vitter has been called into court and lied under oath about this matter – nothing else to discuss.
***/
Um,prostitution is illegal. If this turns out to be true, Vitter, already another hypocrite who rails about "family values" while living the opposite.
Oh, it matters, and you know it.
IF THIS HAD BEEN A DEMOCRAT THE REPLUCIANS WOULD HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR HIS HEAD. INSTEAD THE GOP TRIES TO PROTECT THEIR OWN, REMEMBER LARRY CRAIG LEADING THE WAR AGANIST BILL CLINTON AND HIS RAVINGS, (HE WAS PROBABLY MAD BECAUSE HE WASEN'T IN MONICAS PLACE)BOB BARR, HENERY HYDE. LINDSEY GRAHM, NEWT GRINGICH. BUT YOU HEAR NO CALLS FROM THE REPLUBS FOR VITTER TO STEP DOWN.
Wyatt, OK City
You said, "Yeah, I bet that's what you were saying when they were all over Clinton, right James?"
Wyatt – if you were to READ my original post you'll note my statement, "UNLESS MR VITTER HAS BEEN CALLED INTO COURT AND LIED UNDER OATH". Bill Clinton lied, under oath, about his affair with Monica to a Judge in Arkansas.
If prosecutors in Louisiana want to go after Mr Vitters – have at it. Ms Ellis even admits there is no evidence – simply "he said" – "she said".
Yall have fun with this non-issue. As I said... unless you're a Republican in Louisiana... your outrage won't change a thing.
PS – Josey/Tucson AZ that wants to critize everyone living in Phoenix... How old are you? 12? What a silly statement you made.
It sounds like most of you that wrote in are more in favor of someone who is the scum of the earth but are open about it than you are for someone who tries to do what's right but has failed. You are a sorry bunch of people. I feel sorry for you because of the hate that is filling these pages. And you complain about the politian being a hypocrite.
The Republicans are loving this... And what if Craig stays in the Senate and fights his plea? Disaster.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
I case people haven't caught on, those who scream the loudest about their cause (family values, etc) are doing it to hide their hypocracy. Do you suppose Mr. Family Values (Gingrich) will dare to show his face in presidential list with the way he's treated his wives, etc.??
I applaud Larry Flynt, American polictics consist of so much hipocrosy, there is the covert homosexuls,corporate welfare programs(taxbreaks),no bid lucrative contracts(Halliburton) and the so called high morals. Senator Vitter should tender his resignation.How can he legislate anything other than a dog fight.
Larry Flynt should know you don't go to a prostitute for truth.
Probably true, but nasty, and she'll be in Hustler showing off her Vitter trap next month.
Ah, Vitter, you mad impetuous lad, cavorting merrily across Louisiana while your wife sits home watching the soaps. Will there ever be another politician so amusing?
It's a pretty sad day in America when a career pornographer provides more truth than an elected U.S. Senator.
Say what you want about Larry Flynt, at least he doesn't pretend to be something he's not, unlike some of those among us who preach family values and claim to be of high moral standing. Who can blame Mr. Flynt for wanting to out those who attempt to push their personal morals upon the whole of society yet don't meet their very own standards for decency. He fought numerous legal battles because those with no regard for the First Amendment thought his material was obscene. Never mind the fact that it is one's own personal choice whether they wish purchase Hustler Magazine or any like it. He is in that wheelchair is because someone thought a photo shoot in one of his magazines was immoral and obscene (it was interracial), so they tried to kill him and his attorney. Mr. Flynt earns more of my respect than any politician the likes David Vitter that preach morals and family values.
yes im sure the story is true and im sure vitter will pay professionally or privately. i feel saddened for his family and the pain that they have to endure yet again,but for ellis to talk about her encounters with vitter to atone for the sins of her past..come on!! stop selling your body, do good for someone everyday.make a donation to a charity,do volunteer work....but really truly ruin a family based on your experiences to make up for your sins??? pathetic!! for ellis it was all about the money and publicity. imagine she didnt want to be called a liar,but she doesnt mind being labelled a s–t!!!! tsk tsk tsk
What two concensual adults want to do behind their own private closed doors is none of my business nor is it anyone else's for that matter. What is disturbing and downright disgusting however is that Evangelical Repugnant-can hypocrisy that we are subjected to on a daily basis. Let's be thankful for the Larry Flynts of this country for helping to expose another one of those Republican Family Values phonies.
Did you hear that Shrub?
They are all crooks in DC, so whats new. One answer- Term Limits.
Both parties love to see a member of the other caught with pants down, and neither has a problem justifying making these partisan events. Its pathetic. Lets make a deal: the press will stop leering at the sex lives of politicians, and politicians will stop trying to inject personal morality into politics and law.
So, Gabriel, according to your argument, the highest character trait of value is being transparent, regardless of your actions. Should we all heil Hitler because while he was a mean SOB at least he was open about his hatred for Jews? Or Larry Flynt, he degrades women and exploits people like this poor prostitute for his own gain, but at least we know he's a perverted old man?
Give me a break! What Vitter admitted to doing was wrong and he and his family moved on, much like Bill & Hillary moved on. Larry Flynt's just mad because he can't believe there are decent human beings in this world who grasp the concept of forgiveness, so he's out fabricating a story. Because Larry Flynt openly portrays himself as a scum bag, I know NOT to trust him.
I would hope that Larry Flint releases the detail of the polygraph then allow a polygraph expert (without political portfolio) report back on the quality of this test. If this review also concludes the test was passed the ball is in Senator Vitter's court, i.e. clear his name by submitting to his own polygraph that is likewise vetted. Not taking this test would further damage Sen. Vitter in the eyes of the public.
Right now it looks bad for Sen. Vitter but we have nothing conclusive.
I'm not a fan of Vitter's, but really, who cares what mistakes he makes in his private life? It's his public policy decisions that should be criticized or praised. This is the same thing that Clinton went through in the White House.
Nothing will happen to this in the media – despite the hypocricy of Mr. "Family Values" Vitter – because it isn't gay-related. The GOP and the media only really care if the sex-crime has a gay theme, a not-so-subtle form of homophobia.
At least it wasn't in a bathroom stall in an airport!
Let's face it, Our Government is just as corrupt in bed as it is out of bed. It is a known fact thru out history the United States was built on freedom. And our great leaders in all aspects of government has been useing their rights to freedom of sexual desires and preferences to run this country. Billions of Dollars has been spent wisely over many years for these leaders to think clearly with their heads, Now it is just which head are they using to make the dicisions that affect all of us. The Government is trying to go after a Lady that has an escort service. In reality has been the backbone in some important decisions that our lawmakers used in running this country. Most decisions in Goverment is made "BEHIND CLOSED DOORS" Release the phone numbers and let the people really see for themselves how the Government is run!
I love hypocrites! They make my day. Praise the Lord and send me a love gift!!
It amazes me that anyone would care what scum like Larry Flint says. Our country's moral are all going to hell and these scumballs are the first in line to take us there. I sure hope the God fearing people in this country get on their knees at night, cause God knows we need the prayers.
Forgive us Lord!
The so-called God-fearing people DO get on their knees, but it's usually not to do what you're hoping they do.
Posted By IM4ULORD, Waukesha, WI : September 12, 2007 1:35 pm
It's just about sex.
all I have to say is thank GOD for Larry Flynt. He is my hero!!!! GOD bless this man.
For the posters here who say his private life doesn't matter, think about this: People like him are elected to office based on the images of themselves they project. Most of them don't have the guts to be who they really are. My motto is, do not tell others how to live their lives unless your prepared to have your own scrutinized.
People, don't you have better things to do? Is this news? Hahaha.
I can't help being amused at the Republican sex scandals. Conservatives were so indignant about poor Bill Clinton's faux pas and so self-righteous and so superior about the whole incident. And they so loved stomping on him.
To be fair, if we bust every man in government who has patronized a hooker, there wouldn't be very many straight men left to run things. Ladies, I am referring to your husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons. A pretty girl who is easily had is a temptation that not many men want to even try to resist. Most of their (our) denials are lies, candidly. As the fat man sang, "Texas has a w**re-house in it." How many full-time prostitutes are there? A million? Two million? How many more woman supplement their income by occasionally lending their favors for cash? another million? I have no idea.
I propose that all presidential candidates be given a polygraph exam on the subject. My speculation (based on no facts whatsoever) is that Romney, Clinton, and Huckaby would pass with flying colors, but I have my doubts about the rest.
As for all of you who are waxing indignant and huffy on the subject, I suggest that you grill your male relatives about their history with prostitutes and see how shifty-eyed they become.
And as for all you Conservatives, let me say you can sure dish it out but you can't take it at all.
I know Vitter is one of those “anti-abortion” republicans. I wonder what he would think if one of his prostitutes told him that he got her pregnant?
Jason from Atlanta,
Are you trying to make me look foolish by oversimplifying what I said?
This is what you twisted my statement into:
Larry Flynt is honest about who he is. Adolph Hilter was honest about who he was. I respect Larry Flynt therefore I must respect Adolph Hitler. Do you really read that into my post. I'm the one who needs a break from your "logic". Next you'll copy and paste the third sentence in this paragraph and say "see this everyone, Gabriel respects Hitler."
The two situations are completely different. One person was responsible for the deaths of many people who did nothing to deserve such treatment based on his irrational hatred. The other person sold magazines with pictures of women who were photographed voluntarily to other people who purchased them of their own free will. The difference seems quite clear to me. How about you?
Vitter opened himself up to all this criticism he is receiving because he stood in judgment of others while preaching family values and condoning gay marriage. I could care less about his indiscretions with a prostitutes much like I could care less about President Clinton's indiscretions with a White House intern. It is his judgment of others is that really bothers me and many others. Don't tell me you haven't heard the old phrase "those who live in glass houses shouldn't sleep with prostitutes" at least I think that's how it goes. (That last sentence was a joke. Most people would know that, but you never know when you look at some of these posts.)
If only David Vitter's sexcapades were the most outrageous thing going on here in Louisiana. Those of us that reside down here are confronted by blatant corruption and incompetence on a daily basis right on the front pages. Lord knows what's going on in between the lines. Just check out our choices for State Attorney General.
http://wecouldbefamous.blogspot.com/2007/09/welcome-to-louisiana.html
Wow, I can't believe it!! I believe a prostitute MUCH more than a politician.
I dare say he is not the only culprit in the LA Legislature. Keep watching...there's another one out there ...from Baton Rouge.
God bless Larry Flynt!!!! He is my Hero
Never would I have imagined I'd admire Larry Flynt. However, ever since he outed David Vitter the first time around, I have. I suppose Flynt is after Vitter again to out the whole Ethics Committee on their hypocrisy because they never went after Vitter but say they will go after Craig if he doesn't resign. Sleazy Flynt, yes. But no dummy, that's for sure. He's put the Ethics Committee in a place they surely don't want to be right now.
I would think there are more newsworthy stories to report on.
An attack from Larry Flint on a Political Figure is far from Newsworthy. His public attacks on Prominent Figures are Old Hat. And
Republican outings on less than moral standards are also Old Hat and Old News. We've heard it all. It's getting monotonous.
OK, here we go... for the 18,000th time... Bill Clinton was not impeached for s*x.
He was impeached for PERJURY and OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, both of which occurred in the course of an investigation regarding his being named as the defendant in a s*xual harassment lawsuit.
OK, now please go back to pretending it was "all about s*x."