Vitter Officially Closes 'Madam' Legal Fund

31 Oct 2008 // U.S. Sen. David Vitter on Thursday officially closed his legal defense fund that was created following his involvement in the "D.C. Madam" prostitution case last year.

The Louisiana Republican raised $200,010 through 27 contributors, many who gave the maximum $10,000, in less than a month, according to documents requested and obtained by The News-Star from Vitter's office.

Among the 27 contributors are well-known political and business figures like Donald "Boysie" Bollinger of Bollinger Shipyards; John Georges of Imperial Trading Co., who ran unsuccessfully for governor last year; Gary Chouest, a shipbuilder and part owner of the New Orleans Hornets; and New Orleans banker and real estate mogul Joseph Canizaro.

Seven members of the Chouest family combined to contribute $40,000. All 27 contributors are from Louisiana.

Vitter became involved in the case in July 2007 when his telephone number was found within a list of numbers kept by Deborah Jane Palfrey, who was convicted in federal court on racketeering charges in April. She committed suicide shortly afterward.

Vitter delivered letters to the Senate Select Committee on Ethics and the secretary of the Senate on Thursday afternoon informing them of the action.

"In order to make absolutely sure I handled this properly, I went to both the Senate Ethics committee and the Federal Election Commission," Vitter said in a written statement. "I have followed their direction completely."

He declined a request to be interviewed.

The one-paragraph letters said: "Enclosed please find an original report of the contributions received and disbursements made by the Vitter Legal Expense Trust Fund. This report serves as both the initial and termination report for the fund."

Vitter had been subpoenaed to testify in November 2007, but was spared when U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler canceled the hearing and ruled that Palfrey was using the hearing to attempt to get a preview of the government's case.

Georges, an Independent who said he plans to run for governor again in the future, gave $10,000 to the fund.

"With all of the problems our nation faces, I wanted our senator to have complete and absolute focus in Washington," Georges said. "I didn't want this to be a distraction for him."

Vitter's phone number appeared six times in Palfrey's phone records between 1999 and 2001.

The senator, who isn't up for re-election until 2010, has never discussed details of his involvement with the escort service. Vitter said only that he had committed a "very serious sin" and apologized to his family and the people of Louisiana.

The "Vitter Legal Expense Trust Fund" was opened on Oct. 6.