April 2, 2008
Posted: 11:30 AM ET
 Sen. Debbie Stabenow and husband Thomas Athans attend an election rally in November 2006.
Sen. Debbie Stabenow and husband Thomas Athans attend an election rally in November 2006.

TROY, Michigan (AP) — The husband of U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow told police he used the Internet to make a date with a prostitute and paid her $150 for sex at a hotel, according to a police report.

Thomas Athans, 46, co-founder of the liberal TalkUSA Radio network, was stopped by police who were investigating Internet-based prostitution at the hotel, the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News reported Wednesday in stories on their Web sites.

The newspapers said they obtained the police report through the state Freedom of Information Act.

The Associated Press left telephone messages for Troy police on Wednesday.

Full story

Filed under: Debbie Stabenow


NYC   April 2nd, 2008 4:30 pm ET

At least he drives a good bargain. Spitzer paid over 4 grand

Z   April 2nd, 2008 4:26 pm ET

"So why isn't this on the front page? If she was a Republican - this would be EVERYWHERE"

Thank you. I'm glad somebody finally said it.

nate   April 2nd, 2008 4:23 pm ET

Look at his wife. Enough said.

Ricardo, San Francisco   April 2nd, 2008 4:02 pm ET

$150 Wow…..Is amazing how a woman can sell herself at a huge discount ~ That translates to about 30 super meals at McDonald or about 42 cappuccinos! I just feel disgusted on anyone who pays or who charges for sex. On the other hand that is his personal business.

Unshrub   April 2nd, 2008 3:45 pm ET

I hope she was disinfected before she was let into his room.

kentucky   April 2nd, 2008 3:44 pm ET

Get it while you can folks, Hillary will figure a way to ship it out of the country in a new trade agreement if you can make a good living at it.

Kevin Leo (Jonesboro, GA)   April 2nd, 2008 3:37 pm ET

Only $150??? She must have only been 1/4 of a diamond!

SPQR753   April 2nd, 2008 3:22 pm ET

What is wrong with CNN??
Who cares about this kind of GARBAGE….. get real guys and girls!!!

RealityKing   April 2nd, 2008 3:21 pm ET

Never expect more than your willing to give…, Fidelity cuts two ways.

Jennifer   April 2nd, 2008 3:19 pm ET

So why isn't this on the front page? If she was a Republican - this would be EVERYWHERE

mayahh   April 2nd, 2008 3:12 pm ET

"pathetic' men with good wives usually choose trash, to humiliate their spouse, not your fault Debbie , hold your head high, a cheap thrill for years of memories, look him in the eye everytime you see him. Shame on him, NONE on you.

Nathan,   April 2nd, 2008 2:57 pm ET

In Michigan its dangerous to use the internet or text someone..

I CAN See   April 2nd, 2008 2:55 pm ET

I dont blame him

Ronald   April 2nd, 2008 2:54 pm ET

Now it makes sense why Senator Stabenow endorses Hillary . . . to give their husbands a running around buddy!

Floridian   April 2nd, 2008 2:53 pm ET

Honestly, I wish the Eliot Spitzer thing had never happened because now every public figure, left and right, feels it is time to air their dirty laundry. The fact of the matter is I DON'T WANT TO KNOW about some guy paying $150 for a prostitute at a Motel 6!!!

Brian G, Sugar Land, TX   April 2nd, 2008 2:49 pm ET

Another one bites the dust, oh yeah, another one bites the dust!

Tyrone Brown, Seattle, WA   April 2nd, 2008 2:47 pm ET

What is up with the straight / married men in America?

John, Encino, California   April 2nd, 2008 2:42 pm ET

Look at his wife. Can you blame him?

Mimi in Chicago   April 2nd, 2008 2:38 pm ET

sad sad sad - another one bites the dust

Nando, Florida   April 2nd, 2008 2:26 pm ET

CLINTONISTA"S hard at work for the American people.

kim portland, oregon   April 2nd, 2008 2:11 pm ET

the man is INNOCENT!!!

and how do i know this?!?! i'm a woman, and no woman would have sex with that man for just $150!!!!

Mikey, Scottsdale AZ   April 2nd, 2008 2:09 pm ET

SO ?

HP Boston   April 2nd, 2008 2:09 pm ET

Ah the slime men douse their family in, make a a womans heart cry.

Deana, AL   April 2nd, 2008 2:06 pm ET

First the Detroit mayor, and not this. No wonder Michigan can't get their act together. Who's watching the store.

Obama 08

Val   April 2nd, 2008 2:06 pm ET

My my my! What have we got here? Another Democrat involved in sex scandal!

AJ   April 2nd, 2008 2:06 pm ET

Why is this an issue?
Isnt that between the Senator and her husband?

Michael Kosmin   April 2nd, 2008 2:03 pm ET

It is nice to see (by the price) that there is no recession in Troy, Michigan.

Michael Kosmin

Mike   April 2nd, 2008 2:03 pm ET

At least he didnt spend as much as Spitzer.

jw, canadian,ok   April 2nd, 2008 2:03 pm ET

Put me down as - 'don't care'.

Buckworth Jackson   April 2nd, 2008 2:03 pm ET

Do ya blame him?

JDC   April 2nd, 2008 2:00 pm ET

Another liberal Dem bites the dust due to lust!

Phil in KC   April 2nd, 2008 2:00 pm ET

Sounds to me like the Senator is the injured party here. I can't imagine why this would reflect poorly on her.
As for being news, it would be interesting to know how many husbands have visited prostitutes. I think the number might be surprising.

Yes, DM again Arlington, TX   April 2nd, 2008 1:59 pm ET

Senator Debbie Stabenow and Senator Clinton,

These two women like so many others husband have cheated and got caught. Now, that's just not right. The bible laws of faith against that.

PAUL PROVIDENCE RI   April 2nd, 2008 1:57 pm ET

Who Cares….this is not news

chris   April 2nd, 2008 1:48 pm ET

figures moraly corrupt dems its ok for them but if a repub did it omg they are the downfall of america u guys should look at yourselfs for that

Leah DiMarco, TX   April 2nd, 2008 1:43 pm ET

I find it kinda strange that so many of HILLARY'S super delegates are linked to sex scandals.

Senator Stabenow (husband)
Ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer
Gov. Patterson
Ex-Pres. Bill Clinton

Anyone know of anymore?

Alonzo Demetrius   April 2nd, 2008 1:40 pm ET

This is what happens when wives do not please their husbands, but get their pleasure from power positions and not in their own homes.

gigiland   April 2nd, 2008 1:31 pm ET

That was pretty cheap. We have come to expect Johns to pay exorbitant amount of money for sex as of lately. Furthermore, I would add that is exploitation, provided that if the female worker gets caught, she would not be able to pay for her bail, while he would go unpunished. At least Mr. Spitzer, all the way to the end, paid handsomely and gave tips.

D. Murphy, Indiana   April 2nd, 2008 1:29 pm ET

. . .Golly Gee, No wonder Michigan screwed up . . .oops, I meant messed up their primary.

Ivan, Chicago, Illinois   April 2nd, 2008 1:19 pm ET

I only wish her the strength needed to get through this time personal and family stress of which she is in no way responsible.

Darth Vadik, CA   April 2nd, 2008 1:16 pm ET

So what,

prostitution should be legal anyway,

if a woman choses to make money by using ber body that is her RIGHT,

and if a man choses to pay for it with his hard earned money,

BY GOD THAT IS HIS CHOICE

john williams san diego, ca.   April 2nd, 2008 1:15 pm ET

typical liberal

Praetorian, Fort Myers   April 2nd, 2008 1:15 pm ET

Our system is so wacked.
The 20 year old hooker gets arrested.
The guy who paid for her–nothing?

Kind of like how we have dealt with illegal aliens. Arrest them–do nothing to the business owners who knowingly hire them.

What a country.

kentucky   April 2nd, 2008 1:14 pm ET

Ok, why didn't they file sex charges? Could it be he is the husband of a senator? Gee, I wonder how the rest of the fellas felt leaving the hotel in handcuffs?

Bayou Joe   April 2nd, 2008 1:13 pm ET

Why is this news. His wife is the Senator, not him.

RE:chris ellis   April 2nd, 2008 1:11 pm ET

In my eyes. I think he got off easy.

Tex   April 2nd, 2008 1:06 pm ET

It appears that Hillary and Debbie have a lot in common concering their husbands.

James Nelson   April 2nd, 2008 1:05 pm ET

And this is news, why?

Oh, I get it. If it's salacious, it sells– even if it's completely irrelevant.

Way to go, world's finest (self-proclaimed) news organization!

VOTER FOR TRUTH AND DIGNITY IN AMERICA   April 2nd, 2008 1:05 pm ET

They are not sorry until they get caught. That means they will do
it again because they are "hooked."

david goldman   April 2nd, 2008 1:04 pm ET

COULD NOT CARE LESS. LEAVE THE MAN ALONE.

TexFem   April 2nd, 2008 1:04 pm ET

Dump him Debbie!

You don't need him to get ahead like Hillary needed Bill!

VOTER FOR TRUTH AND DIGNITY IN AMERICA   April 2nd, 2008 1:03 pm ET

Was it taxpayer money? It is time to clean house. But the quality
we are looking for is A+ethical sense, Truth, Honesty with taxpayers money. Is there anyone qualified? Because most of them need to go.
Cronies have spent our S.S. and they can sit up there with Bush with
their legs crossed all relaxed and say "the problem is entitlements"
Yes Mr. Cheney, i am talking about you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Celia Ann   April 2nd, 2008 1:02 pm ET

I am a Michigan Resident and feel for her. We have a mayor who is probably going to be charged with perjury for lying under oath (not for Adultery).

What Debbie's husband did should not reflect upon Debbie. I din't vote for her and wouldn't vote for her, but she is a nice lady. He should be prosecuted and given due process just like Mayor Kilpatrick.

All that to say, people are tired of these types of scandals. Thank goodness that her husband is not a politican, but we are just tired of these types of scandals.

@americans   April 2nd, 2008 1:02 pm ET

this dude is gangsta!

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   April 2nd, 2008 12:58 pm ET

Chelsea said "it's none of your business" and that's good enough for me. But I'm tired of all the sex and want to hear more about drugs. Now _there's_ news.

Brian Rich   April 2nd, 2008 12:56 pm ET

That's sad. Dump him.

Ratgurl   April 2nd, 2008 12:55 pm ET

Who cares?

HH   April 2nd, 2008 12:55 pm ET

$150.00 she must of been a beauty.

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