Hustler says it leaked senate sex scandal

WASHINGTON, July 11 (UPI) -- Hustler magazine is taking credit for leaking the news that U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., was a client of "D.C. Madam" Deborah Jeane Palfrey.

Hustler said Vitter had told a reporter about his involvement with Palfrey when he was confronted with phone records from her escort service, CNN reported Wednesday. Hustler said one of its editors learned about that and called Vitter's office, prompting Vitter to publicly admit his indiscretion.

Vitter said he used the escort service in the past, but never had sex with prostitutes employed by Palfrey.

"Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and from my wife in confession and marriage counseling," he said.

Hustler publisher Larry Flynt said Wednesday he has found five prostitutes in Louisiana who allege that they had sexual contact with Vitter, who led a failed drive for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

"You can't have a guy with four, five mistresses and at the same time attacking any similarity of gay rights and speaking about the sanctity of marriage, and abstinence programs, and voting the conservative line all the way down," Flynt said.