WASHINGTON - Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt said Wednesday five New Orleans prostitutes have stepped forward to say they had sex with Sen. David Vitter, a "family values" advocate.
Flynt said the five would share in a $1 million bounty his magazine offered in a full- page newspaper ad last month to anyone who could provide credible information about sexual infidelities of high-ranking government officials.
But he did not provide names or any other information about the prostitutes.
Vitter admitted this week to having a relationship with an escort service run by so-called "D.C. Madam" Deborah Jeane Palfrey.
The Louisiana Republican has not made a public appearance in Washington since he released his statement that said he had committed "a very serious sin" in his past and his wife and God had forgiven him for it.
His office also has not returned repeated phone calls requesting comment.
Flynt said he was glad to expose Vitter because he had campaigned against same-sex marriage and championed "family values" that included sexual abstinence.
Hypocrisy makes a politician's sex life "fair game," the publisher said.
He also said he had "20-something investigations going that all look good" into Republican and Democratic members of Congress and other high-ranking government officials, all a result of the ad in The Washington Post. Names were not disclosed.
Flynt said he resented government prosecutions of his pornography businesses.
"This is payback time," Flynt said.
Hours after a Hustler magazine researcher called Vitter, the senator issued a statement to The Associated Press admitting his phone number is among thousands released by the "D.C. Madam," Flynt said.
The Hustler publisher released a copy of Palfrey's phone bill that he said showed Vitter's call to her. The phone call was on Feb. 27, 2001, when he was a U.S. House member. Vitter ran for the Senate three years later.
To add to Vitter's troubles, a madam of a former brothel on New Orleans' Canal Street told Louisiana news outlets this week the senator had been a client in the 1990s.
Flynt also claimed responsibility nearly nine years ago for forcing former Rep. Bob Livingston, R-La., to admit he had extramarital affairs. Livingston resigned days before he was expected to be elected speaker of the House.
Before his resignation, Livingston had been a vocal supporter of the impeachment of President Clinton for lying about his relationship with a White House intern. When Vitter ran successfully for Livingston's House seat, he also made Clinton's scandal an issue.
Vitter has missed votes, including two on amendments to a massive defense bill Wednesday.
Flynt said he doubted Vitter's political career would survive the scandal.
Elliott Bundy, spokesman for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's campaign, said Vitter will keep his job as Giuliani's strongest supporter in the South.
Giuliani said this week Vitter's problems are "a personal issue."
University of Virginia political science professor Larry Sabato said Vitter is still an asset to Giuliani, especially since the Christian Right continues to support Vitter.
"It's the scandal of the week, soon no one will remember, except in Louisiana," Sabato said. "And Giuliani has had a very messy personal life. He's the last one to point fingers."
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