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Senior Official Linked to Escort Service Resigns
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ShareApril 27, 2007 8:58 PM
Deputy Secretary of State Randall L. Tobias submitted his resignation Friday, one day after confirming to ABC News that he had been a customer of a Washington, D.C. escort service whose owner has been charged by federal prosecutors with running a prostitution operation.
Tobias, 65, director of U.S. Foreign Assistance and administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), had previously served as the ambassador for the President's Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief.
A State Department press release late Friday afternoon said only he was leaving for "personal reasons."
Photos Tobias: A Powerbroker in the Capital
On Thursday, Tobias told ABC News he had several times called the "Pamela Martin and Associates" escort service "to have gals come over to the condo to give me a massage."
Tobias, who is married, said there had been "no sex," and that recently he had been using another service "with Central Americans" to provide massages.
World News Video Senior Official Resigns After Admitting He Used an Escort Service.
Tobias' private cell number was among thousands of numbers listed in the telephone records provided to ABC News by Jeane Palfrey, the woman dubbed the "D.C. Madam," who is facing the federal charges.
In an interview to be broadcast on "20/20" next Friday, Palfrey says she intends to call Tobias and a number of her other prominent D.C. clients to testify at her trial.
Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.
"I'm sure as heck not going to be going to federal prison for one day, let alone, four to eight years, because I'm shy about bringing in the deputy secretary of whatever," Palfrey told ABC News.
Palfrey maintains she ran a sexual fantasy business that was legal and that if any of the women who were working for her had sex, they did so in violation of her rules and without her knowledge. She says there are a number of other prominent Washington, D.C. men who will be on her witness list. "I'll bring every last one of them in if necessary," Palfrey said.
As the Bush administration's so-called "AIDS czar," Tobias was criticized by some for emphasizing faithfulness and abstinence over condom use to prevent the spread of AIDS.
In a 2004 interview, Tobias explained his approach as "A and B and C. . . Abstinence works. 'Be faithful' works. Condoms work. They all have a role. But it's not a multiple choice, where there is only one answer."
As a top official overseeing global AIDS funding to other countries, Tobias was responsible for enforcing a U.S. policy, enacted during the Bush administration, that requires recipients to swear they oppose prostitution and sex trafficking. USAID adopted a similar policy in 2004.
At an April 18 speech, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice praised Tobias' work. "Randy Tobias has indeed had many roles in his life, but none more important than the roles he's played in government, where he has been someone who has been most involved in organizing America's compassion to the world."
A biography of Tobias was removed from the USAID Web site, but an archived version shows that before joining the State Department, Tobias had been CEO of drug manufacturer Eli Lilly Co. and AT&T Communications and served on the board of trustees for Duke University, including three years as its chair.
In 2003, he co-wrote a book on leadership lessons with his son, Todd, entitled, "Put the Moose on the Table." Indiana University, whose publishing arm produced the volume, is also home to the Randall L. Tobias Center for Leadership Excellence.
Along with his wife, Marianne, Tobias donated over $100,000 to Republican candidates and political committees, according to the campaign finance Web site OpenSecrets.org.
Tobias is the second prominent man to be identified as a customer of the Palfrey's "sexual fantasy service." Two weeks ago, Palfrey alleged that military strategist Harlan K. Ullman, creator of the "shock and awe" combat theory and now a senior associate with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, was also a customer. Ullman has said that the claim was "beneath the dignity of comment."
Palfrey is expected to appear in court on Monday, to request permission to replace her criminal defense attorney, currently a federal public defender.
This post has been updated.
April 27, 2007 in D.C. Madam Affair | Permalink | User Comments (310)
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Friday. Of course. All the Bush/GOP dirt always tries to sneak by on a Friday.
Posted by: Kevin | Apr 27, 2007 10:33:04 PM
At least he didnt get BJs like Slick willy democrats "first man"
Posted by: mike | Apr 27, 2007 10:34:26 PM
Ahhh...but did he inhale?
Posted by: just wondering | Apr 27, 2007 10:36:11 PM
Well - There's nothing stating that only Republicans used this service. I think we should withhold attributing this type of behavior to one party or another. I'm sure there will be a few Democrats on the witness list as well. Paying for sex isn't an activity that is the purview of members of just one political party.
Posted by: pkohan | Apr 27, 2007 10:37:18 PM
You REALLY think that he JUST got a massage? Please. Hypocrites and liars, thieves and traitors. The GOP I grew up with has been destroyed by these neocon criminals.
Posted by: Mike H. | Apr 27, 2007 10:37:42 PM
Yes, Clinton was fooling around, too, and he paid for it. Plus, it's ancient history. Why don't the Republicans face it--their party is chock full of self-righteous, war-mongering, lying, hypocritical perverts.
Posted by: Mike | Apr 27, 2007 10:38:26 PM
wow, I mean wow, how high in office do these scandals have to go before the republican constituents wake up.
and people think Kucinich is crazy to call for an article of impeachment on Cheney?
Posted by: donviti | Apr 27, 2007 10:38:42 PM
No sex, huh? This sounds a lot like someone who didn't inhale.
Posted by: MaryLou Harper | Apr 27, 2007 10:39:03 PM
Who in the World really cares if he used an escort service or not! What he does on his OWN time is HIS business, not mine or yours! And it doesn't matter if he is Republican or Democrat. Everyone needs to worry about something that is really something to worry about! Stay out of other people's personal business! In other words, GET A LIFE!
Posted by: Sue | Apr 27, 2007 10:39:14 PM
The hypocrisy of Sexual issues in this once great country, is stunning. Janet Jackson causes a clamor over one nipple shown on TV and yet we get constant bombardment by the likes of Viagra, Cialis, etc and as long as it's hawking a product, the morality takes 2nd place to "Bidness" (as George Bush would say). Republicans being found on this “Madam’s” list is just funny and of course, totally expected. Can we finally put a stake in the Republican argument of “family values”?
Posted by: Ron Russell | Apr 27, 2007 10:41:01 PM
Sue, go back and read the last paragraph again.
Posted by: Mike | Apr 27, 2007 10:41:34 PM
shouldn't someone that has a higher moral standard be holding those positions?
what does that say about the guy for god's sake?
Posted by: donviti | Apr 27, 2007 10:42:39 PM
Typical GOP liar, what a surprise.
Posted by: RealityCheck | Apr 27, 2007 10:42:39 PM
Eight years of peace? Uh...does Somalia, Ethiopia, 1st trade center, Uss Cole, African bombings,invading Kosovo, and bombing aspirin factories count as peace? At least this guy had the decency to quit, unlike a democrat.
Posted by: John | Apr 27, 2007 10:43:14 PM
Well, Sue. Let's look at this pattern. Mark Foley - anti-predator stance is preying on young male aids. Preacher Ted who is anti-gay has a relationship with male prostitutes. And now this guy. Preaching abstinence, etc., while he, a married man, is getting sexual favors by escorts. That's why people are commenting on this. How dare these guys preach to us when they're all practicing what they preach against?
Posted by: Sue | Apr 27, 2007 10:43:29 PM
Mike.... I think you maybe need to get a LIFE TOO!
Posted by: Sue | Apr 27, 2007 10:44:26 PM
donviti is right to raise the question. The answer is simple, the Republican party is in a campaign to reduce the nation into a state of complete moral decline. Lying, stealing, murdering, assuming all power, exploiting pages, politicizing everything, nepotism and getting non sexual massages.....does that cover it or is the list of abuses longer?
Posted by: MaryLou Harper | Apr 27, 2007 10:45:19 PM
It does not matter which party he is in...What matters is he is a man...a husband...a father...and anow a cheater....You give anyone an inch and they will take a mile...No matter what party the are for.......
Posted by: Sharon | Apr 27, 2007 10:45:23 PM
Gee, another GOP hypocrite. Go figure. Just like Newt getting his own hummer when impeaching Clinton.
God is good...well, when it applies to the other slobs out there.
And Sue, if it wasn't so hypocritical, we'd all gladly stay out of his business. I suppose the irony escapes you, though.
Posted by: Joanne | Apr 27, 2007 10:45:25 PM
OK - isn't this all a bit silly. If he wanted a massage, is that now a crime? Its simply that the Dems are so prone to do a witch hunt of everyone, we've all forgotten if they've actually accomplished anything in Pelosi's first 100 (now plus) days in office. Adding pork barrel funding to pet projects for the Dems. Leader of the Senate to key defense bills - makes it seem - they care more about witch hunts, then protecting the American public. Its time for Pelosi to start to talk to the American public - she keeps on saying she does, but really now - does anyone really believe her?
Posted by: mira | Apr 27, 2007 10:45:39 PM
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