Vitter Slapped With Prostitution Complaint

Vitter Slapped With Prostitution Complaint

Watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility (CREW) has filed a bar complaint with the Louisiana Office of Disciplinary Counsel against Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), charging that the Senator violated state rules of professional conduct for lawyers by soliciting prostitution.

In 2007, Vitter's telephone number was found in the client list of the "D.C. Madam," or Deborah Jeane Palfrey, operator of a high-profile prostitution ring. At the time, the senator confirmed in a statement that he did in fact seek Palfrey's services: "This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible."

D.C. and Louisiana Law maintain that the solicitation of prostitution is a crime. Under Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct, it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to "commit a criminal act especially one that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other aspects." CREW argues that the solicitation of prostitution is a crime, and by engaging in such criminal activity repeatedly, Vitter violated law and should be investigated and disciplined.

The complaint filed against Vitter emerged as a response to his push for an investigation into the community organization ACORN. Melanie Sloan, CREW's executive director said:

Sen. Vitter's zeal to see ACORN criminally investigated for offering advice in setting up a prostitution ring reminded me he has yet to be held accountable for his own role in a prostitution ring... "While ACORN's conduct is indefensible, so is Sen. Vitter's and what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

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