Apr
Report: Stabenow’s husband paid prostitute in sting
By KORIE WILKINS AND TODD SPANGLER
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS
April 2, 2008
WASHINGTON — Speaking for the first time about her husband’s acknowledgment that he paid for sex with an alleged prostitute, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow told the Free Press this afternoon she’s going through a “very difficult and personal” time and will continue to work through it with her family.
Thomas Athans
The senator from Lansing did not want to talk about whether she and her husband are still together or how she learned of his being stopped by Troy police in February. According to a police report obtained this morning by the Free Press, Tom Athans — a liberal radio talk-show executive — told Troy detectives he paid a prostitute he contacted via the Internet $150 for sex at a Residence Inn in the metro Detroit suburb.
He was not charged with solicitation after being stopped as part of a police sting — only cited for driving with a suspended license. He was stopped on I-75 driving a car registered to him and Stabenow, whom he married in 2003.
Alycia Martin
(backpage.com)
Stabenow spoke to the Free Press a few minutes after delivering a speech on the Senate floor on the need to help Michigan families fighting foreclosure and lost jobs — a theme she has been pounding on for months, repeating her call for an extension of unemployment benefits.
Her demeanor showed none of the stress she acknowledged she’s under now.
“I have a job to do and I’m continuing to be focused on the things that matter most to Michgian families,” she told the Free Press.
Athans, 46, issued a statement through a Royal Oak law firm representing him, saying, “No words can fully express how sorry I am. At the time this incident occurred, I took responsibility for my actions and fully cooperated with law enforcement. My family and I are dealing with this matter in a personal and private way.”
Without being specific, Stabenow, 57, said her colleagues have been showing their support for her. “I’m very grateful for the prayers and support I’m receiving,” she said.
Source : www.freep.com
