U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., showed neither in retaining an aide on his staff two years after the aide was convicted on three of five charges stemming from the aide’s attack and stabbing of a former girlfriend.
Vitter was aware of the aide incident before it was publicized, but kept Brent Furer on his staff.
Furer resigned at Vitter’s request — but only after a national news organization aired revelations of Furer’s criminal record.
On that score, Furer seemed to be borrowing a page from his boss.
In 2007, Vitter offered a vague public apology for a “serious sin” in his past, but the senator’s expression of remorse came only after revelations connecting Vitter with a prostitution ring.
Furer has had other brushes with the law, including four arrests for driving while intoxicated.
Two of those arrests were in East Baton Rouge Parish, where a warrant was issued for Furer for “failing to appear,” according to court records.
In response to media questions, Vitter denied Furer handled women’s issues on his staff, but several professional directories listed Furer as a point man on Vitter’s staff for women’s issues. Some of Vitter’s constituents who sought Vitter’s help with women’s issues have reported being referred to Furer.
Someone with Furer’s criminal background should not have been allowed to serve on Vitter’s staff.
Furer’s apparent handling of women’s issues was particularly galling given his violently abusive behavior toward a former girlfriend.
Vitter’s behavior is another source of embarrassment for Louisiana, and once again, it calls into question his judgment.
This latest scandal has become a campaign issue as Vitter stands for re-election.
It should be.
Vitter, a self-professed conservative, has positioned himself as a champion of family values and personal responsibility.
His actions show otherwise.
The Advocate
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