Senator Vitter receives subpoena to testify about escort use [View All]

Senator receives subpoena to testify about escort use
Nov. 28 hearing set on madam's service
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
By Bill Walsh

WASHINGTON -- The "D.C. Madam" served a subpoena Tuesday on Sen. David Vitter, R-La., requiring him to testify about his use of the Washington, D.C., escort service federal prosecutors say was a prostitution ring.

The subpoena calls on the freshman senator to testify at a federal court hearing Nov. 28 looking into the business operations of the $2 million escort service Deborah Jeane Palfrey operated in the nation's capital for 13 years.

Vitter has acknowledged being a client of Palfrey's company, Pamela Martin & Associates, and his telephone number appeared six times in the firm's phone records between 1999 and 2001, when he was a member of the House of Representatives. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004.

Palfrey is under indictment on charges of racketeering and money laundering in what the Department of Justice contends was a $300-per-hour prostitution service. Palfrey said her business was on the up-and-up and had her escorts sign contracts promising that nothing illegal would transpire during private sessions with clients.

Those contracts will be at the center of the court hearing before U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler. Palfrey has sued one of the escorts, Paula Neble, alleging breach of contract. The government said Palfrey is trying to intimidate witnesses. Kessler is expected to decide whether Palfrey's civil suit against Neble can go forward.

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