Louisiana congressman caught on videotape kissing aide

MONROE, La., April 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Vance McAllister, R-La., who campaigned on his strong family values, has acknowledged an affair with a married member of his staff.

McAllister's indiscretion became public when a security video from his office in Monroe, La., was leaked to a newspaper. The footage showed a man resembling McAllister in a passionate clinch with a married staffer in his district office.

McAllister, in an interview with the (Monroe) News-Star, said he will not resign. He said he would run for a full term in November “unless there is an outcry for me not to serve."

McAllister said he has apologized to his wife and children. He responded "Absolutely" when asked if this is the first time he has cheated.

“I have fallen short as a husband and a father, and I feel more ashamed than you can imagine,” he said. “I’ve asked them for forgiveness, and I’m asking forgiveness from my constituents who elected me to serve them.”

Adam Terry, McAllister's chief of staff, said the staffer, Melissa Anne Hixon Peacock, 33, has stopped working for the congressman since the video surfaced.

McAllister, who grew up in northern Louisiana, made a fortune in oilfield technology, pipeline construction, oil and gas leasing, wrestling promotion and other businesses. He became involved in politics when he entered a crowded field last year for a special election to replace Rep. Rodney Alexander, who had resigned to join Gov. Bobby Jindal's cabinet.

The politically unknown McAllister finished second in the primary to Republican state Sen. Neil Riser and then won the run-off with 60 percent of the vote. He had support from the Robertson family of "Duck Dynasty" fame.

McAllister ran as a Washington outsider and also as a devout Christian with strong family values.

[The News Star]