Hustler Magazine publisher Larry Flynt said Wednesday that Sen. David Vitter, R-La., was fair game in a sex scandal investigation because he advocated conservative positions while living a private life at odds with his public life.

"Sometimes I have to go bottom feeding" in an effort to remove "phonies" from lawmaking positions, Flynt said in a news conference at his magazine's offices.

Vitter acknowledged late Monday night that his telephone number appeared among those associated with an escort service operated by Deborah Jeane Palfrey, the so-called D.C. Madam.

Flynt claimed credit for outing Vitter's connection to Palfrey.

He said his staff called Vitter's office Monday, saying they knew his telephone number appeared on a list from Palfrey's escort service. Vitter then went to The Associated Press in an attempt to get ahead of the story, Flynt said.

In 1999, Hustler threatened to publish what it called evidence of martial improprieties into former Rep. Bob Livingston, which prompted the Louisiana congressman's resignation. Vitter, in turn, was elected to replace Livingston.

Flynt said his magazine has collected information on indiscretions among both Republicans and Democrats, in both the U.S. House and Senate, but he declined to provide other details.

"This is not a witch hunt," he said.

New Orleans Madam Recalls Vitter

Jeanette Maier, known in New Orleans as the Canal Street Madam, claimed Tuesday that Vitter visited her business beginning in the mid-1990s.

According to Maier, Vitter would pay $300 an hour for services. She would not disclose how many times he came to her Canal Street home, only saying that it was more than once.

"He seems to be one of the nicest men and most honorable men I've ever met," Maier said.

She also said that although some of his visits were at the Canal Street location, others were during fishing trips and other activities with fellow politicians.

"There was more to the business than sex," she said. "There are so many demands made on these people."

Maier claims she still has a black book filled with the names of clients to her operation, which was closed in 2002 after a federal investigation.

Speculation has swirled about its clients. Maier has claimed her book contains the names of at least 20 Louisiana politicians, but Vitter has been the only one she's named.

However, Maier's attorney, Provino "Vinny" Mosca, said he had "absolutely no recollection of Vitter's name ever appearing on any document, book or list, or having any association" with Maier.

"It was not contained in any evidence in the case, including in any book, list or document seized by the federal government or given to the federal government by Ms. Maier," a statement from Mosca said. "David Vitter's name was never picked up on any government wiretap nor is it listed in any transcript or court document."

Prosecutors said Maier's operation was part of a ring with locations in New York, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Houston, Biloxi, Miss., and Grand Rapids, Mich.

For her part, Maier took a plea deal and eventually worked for a short time as a columnist for Kingfish magazine.

Palfrey, meanwhile, has been accused in federal court of racketeering by running a prostitution ring. She contends that her agency, Pamela Martin and Associates, was a legitimate business.

Vitter recently played a prominent role in derailing an immigration bill backed by President George W. Bush. He also is a key supporter of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's presidential bid, serving as regional campaign chairman for the South. And he has spoken out strongly for banning gay marriage.