The CityBusiness Blog

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

The death of Deborah Jeane Palfrey, the “D.C. Madam” connected to Sen. David Vitter, has set the blog world on fire.

Palfrey was found hanged in a shed Thursday near her mother’s home about 20 miles northwest of Tampa, Fla.

Police have labeled it a suicide, saying Palfrey left a suicide note. But some bloggers are suggesting she was murdered, and they say foul play should not be ruled out until there is a thorough investigation.

I foresee books and at least one movie.

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

Mayor Nagin isn’t enjoying his job these days, according to comments recently reported by the media.

In a Wednesday interview, Nagin declined to say whether he would stick out the rest of his term, according to the Associated Press. However, Nagin said he was focused on the job of being mayor, the AP reported.

In a July 12 story by the AP, Nagin, during a July 7 meeting on housing, reportedly used terms like “thankless work” to describe his job. Nagin also said he said he was “getting worn out” but still plans to push ahead, the AP reported.

So, what are Nagin’s plans? What’s he thinking?

He was re-elected only last year. Yet, based on recent fundraising, it is clear he is considering his next move

For example, on July 11 Nagin was in Kansas City, Mo., raising funds for his unknown political future. According to the Kansas City Star, Nagin said the main purpose of his trip was to thank Walton Construction Co., Black & Veatch and other firms for services they provided after Katrina. Then, that evening, he attended a fundraiser.

The political landscape presents some interesting possibilities for Nagin to ponder.

There’s the Louisiana governor’s race this fall. There’s the seat of Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, who will face re-election next year. Then there is the post of Sen. David Vitter, R-Metairie, who is ensnarled in controversy following news that his name is linked to the “D.C. Madam.”

If Nagin resigns as mayor to pursue another post, he has to consider this: His core support likely resides in New Orleans, and those votes would be crucial in an election, especially if he makes a run for governor.

But would New Orleanians vote for Nagin if he abandoned his job as mayor and ran for another office? Would they view Nagin as an opportunist who is putting his political career ahead of the people who re-elected him?

Regardless of which career path Nagin takes, his recent comments, if true, are troubling. No one in post-K New Orleans needs to hear the mayor say he is “getting worn out.” After all, no one forced him to seek re-election.

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

The news that Sen. David Vitter’s name is connected to the phone records of the “D.C. Madam” is a lot to digest, especially for those of us in Louisiana still trying to recover from the 2005 hurricanes.

But if that wasn’t enough, Larry Flynt and the former madam of the now-shuttered Canal Street brothel have stuck their heads into the spotlight, making a frenzied situation even more frenzied.

Flynt, Hustler magazine publisher, is taking credit – and gloating – for exposing Vitter’s name on the “D.C. Madam’s” phone records. Flynt said he wants to root out hypocrisy among members of Congress.

“I don’t want a man like that legislating for me, especially in the areas of morality,” he said.

Since when did Flynt care about morals anyway?

Jeanette Maier, who operated the Canal Street brothel, has also joined the chaos.

On Tuesday, Maier said Vitter was once a client of her brothel. Maier hasn’t produced any proof that Vitter was a customer, and her attorney said Maier never made mention of Vitter as a client. Maier’s attorney, Vinny Mosca, also said Vitter’s name was not part of any evidence in the case.

On Wednesday night, Maier, who apparently hadn’t had enough publicity, called WWL-AM 870 radio and gave a mind-numbingly confusing explanation of why she leaked Vitter’s name. Even the radio host, Tommy Tucker, admitted confusion.

In explaining why she leaked Vitter’s name, Maier talked about the public being able to “do the math” and figure out that he had been a client of the Canal Street brothel. Huh?

She then went on and on about how she likes the job Vitter is doing and she wants him to keep fighting for the recovery of New Orleans. What a way to help the recovery; Vitter hasn’t been in Congress all week, likely due to all the controversy. Later in the radio interview, Maier also admitted that she thinks Vitter would be mad that she leaked his name.

I’m waiting to see who’s going to jump into the bedlam next.

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor

The woman who ran a brothel on Canal Street says Sen. David Vitter was a client of her now-shuttered establishment.

Jeanette Maier released Vitter’s name Tuesday, the day after Vitter apologized for his name appearing on phone records connected to the so-called “D.C. Madam.”

Vitter’s office has not responded to Maier’s claims.

Maier has kept the list of her brothel’s clients secret since she pleaded guilty in 2002 for running the operation. According to the Associated Press, guilty pleas in the Canal Street brothel case had the effect of keeping the brothel’s customer list unpublished.

Maier’s claim about Vitter is open for scrutiny, if only because her attorney, Vinny Mosca, said Maier never made mention of Vitter as a client. Mosca also said Vitter’s name was not part of any evidence in the case. It sounds like Mosca is all but calling Maier a liar. I wonder if she’ll use Mosca as an attorney again. And will Maier produce proof to show Mosca and others that she is telling the truth?

On a different note, with Maier offering Vitter’s name, should she disclose the names of others? Ever since Maier’s brothel was shut down, many in the New Orleans area have longed to see the client list, which is thought to include the names of prominent lawyers, doctors and elected officials.

Is it fair for Maier not to disclose other names? Has she released Vitter’s name only because he is in the spotlight for apologizing for being associated with the “D.C. Madam”? Why could she not offer up names before?