by James Oliphant
One thing we now know for sure: The going rate for professional sex is a heckuva lot cheaper in Michigan than on the East Coast.
We know this because the husband of Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) was caught in a prostitution bust last month, the Detroit News reported today.
Police say Thomas L. Athans, the founder of Democracy Radio, a liberal-progressive network, was nabbed Feb, 27 in a Residence Inn in Troy, MI, a suburb of Detroit. According to police, Athans paid a 20-year-old prostitute $150 for sex in a Troy hotel but was not arrested. Officers observed Athans enter a room under surveillance and leave 15 minutes later. Detectives followed and stopped Athans' silver 2002 Cadillac DeVille near the intersection of I-75 and, um, Big Beaver Road.
(Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) pictured with husband Thomas Athans at an election night rally in Detroit, Nov. 7, 2006. AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
In the room, officers found sex toys, condoms, $431 in cash and a laptop computer, They arrested the woman, whom the News identified as Alycia Lorraine Martin, and charged her with prostitution. She was released on a $100 bond and has been ordered to appear in court for a pre-trial hearing April 22.
Stabenow released a statement Wednesday, saying, "This is very disturbing and serious. Obviously it's a deeply difficult and personal matter."
Police were targeting the hotel because of an online ad, which told of "a young blond hottie here for your total enjoyment" in Troy under the name "Kasey." The posting had rates for 15 minutes ($100) and by the half hour ($160) and hour ($225).
"Those are all red flags for prostitution," said Troy police Lt. Gerard Scherlinck, apparently with a straight face.
Athans apparently told police he was in the hotel room to meet a friend he had met online. Police ended up citing him for driving with a suspended license.
You might recall that former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer was forced to resign last month after it was revealed he spent $4,300 to ship a woman named Kristen* down from New York to have sex with him in a Washington hotel a few stars up the guidebook from a Residence Inn.
That's $4,150 more than Athans allegedly spent.
* not her real name
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Comments
15 minutes! Man, that guy knows how to live large.
Posted by: C.Morris | April 2, 2008 2:37 PM
She endorsed Clinton wayyyyy back when so I'm not surprised her hubby was caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
Could this be why Clinton (male) been campaigning so tirelessly? If the missus is occupied dodging sniper fire and answering 3 a.m phone calls male Clinton will be free to put his hand BACK in a cookie jar. JMO
Posted by: Oh Please | April 2, 2008 2:48 PM
Poor prostitutes who have to service customers who look like this.
Posted by: John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada | April 2, 2008 2:58 PM
Does this guy hang out with Republican Sen.Vetter?
Posted by: Raving Loon | April 2, 2008 3:00 PM
Who was the victim in this crime? The girl was a willing adult and the man was a willing adult. Just a little capitalism taking place. Why do Republicans hate capitalism? Why do they want to force these entrepreneurs out business? Is it because they're women?
Posted by: jackson | April 2, 2008 3:08 PM
Well folks its official if there's a sex scandal involving Democrats, it's heterosexual encounters we're talking about. If the sex scandal involves a Reblican, the overwhelming odds are that the sex is queer and/or involves adolescent teens, or in unusual circumstances, involves hetero sex with the Republican wearing adult diapers and acting out the role of a grown up baby.
Posted by: justsayin | April 2, 2008 3:22 PM
The democratic govenor of New York resigns over sex scandal. The new democratic govenor of New York admits he and his wife have had multiple affairs. The democratic mayor of Detroit is indicted on perjury over a sex scandal. Chelsea is dodging questions about Bill Clintons sex scandal. The husband of Democratic senator from Michigan caught in sex scandal.
No wonder the democrats are such a "popular party".
Posted by: daveyo | April 2, 2008 3:31 PM
James did a better job of identifying Senator Stabenow's party affiliation than Natasha Robinson, who wrote the AP article that's currently on the Trib's homepage. You have to read all the way to the bottom to find out that Stabenow and Athans are democrats in that one. Wonder how quickly we'd know if the guy was a republican?
p.s. Air America still sucks.
Posted by: Jeff | April 2, 2008 3:44 PM
Look at how the little angry democrats circle the wagons. Hey Justsayin, here's some news for you, On August 22, 1995 then congressman Mel Reynolds was convicted on 12 counts of sexual assault, obstruction of justice and solicitation of child pornography for having sex with a 16-year-old girl. Bill Clinton commuted his sentece for unrelated bank fraud at the behest of Jesse Jackson, Sr., who then had the gall to employ him at his Rainbow Coalition/Operation PUSH offices as a youth counselor.
For what looks like the only time in American political history a man convicted of having sex with an younger, subordinate girl had his sentence commuted by a president who had a sexual relationship with a younger, subordinate intern, at the behest of a man (Jackson) who had a sexual relationship with, you guessed it, a younger, subordinate girl.
Tell me again how this doesn't involve adolescent teens. Want to revise that statement? Or have you forgotten about Mel, Bill, and Jesse?
Posted by: Jeff | April 2, 2008 5:25 PM
Culture
of
Corruption
Posted by: Van Deventer | April 2, 2008 6:47 PM
I wonder if this is a thing with liberal radio hosts? Does he hang around with Bernie Ward?
Jackson,
Do you think the Mrs. Athans might be a victim?
Justsayin'
why don't you "Google" "Barney Frank's roommamte"
Posted by: Terry | April 2, 2008 7:15 PM
Excellent, excellent post, Jeff!!!
We also had Gerry Studds, a Dem Congressman who ACTUALLY had sex with a 17-year-old male page. Foley NEVER had sex with a page.
And, then there is Barney Franks and the gay escort ring in his condo. Or even Gary Condit and the dead femalen intern.
Posted by: John D | April 2, 2008 11:54 PM
It's always the MALE politicians who are involved in the scandal!
Are politicians really that insecure?
Posted by: ann | April 3, 2008 3:18 AM
Who woke up D' Mime?
Posted by: C.Morris | April 3, 2008 9:27 AM
I'm talking current affairs while you're stuck in the past. By the way do you know the legal age of consent in Washington, D.C.?
Posted by: justsayin | April 3, 2008 9:41 AM
JS,
I believe ol' Barney is still in Congress, therefore current.
Posted by: Terry | April 3, 2008 11:26 PM
Well, the real victim is the other spouse, just in case Jackson needs to be assured. Adutery would be the official definition, but like Clinton, it is consentual.
Posted by: Lucky | April 5, 2008 7:25 AM