CREW released this statement after we got the news that the FEC Commissioners deadlocked 

Today’s decision indicates the FEC has finally recognized that at least in some cases, members of Congress should not be allowed to use campaign funds to bail them out of legal problems of their own making. This breaks with the FEC’s pattern of granting members permission to pay lawyers with campaign funds nearly every time the issue has been raised. It remains to be seen whether this is a one-time decision or whether the FEC really is breaking with its past precedents.

Here's how the Times-Picayune described the FEC proceedings:

Dividing along partisan lines, the Federal Election Commission couldn't agree Thursday on whether Sen. David Vitter, R-La., can use campaign money to pay all the legal costs related to his involvement in a Washington escort service scandal.

In a 3-3 vote, with all three Republicans voting yes and all three Democrats no, the commission deadlocked on whether Vitter could use campaign money to pay more than $160,000 in legal fees accrued in monitoring the federal criminal case against Deborah Jeane Palfrey, the so-called "D.C. Madam," and quashing her defense team's subpoenas of the senator. A majority vote is required for passage of a resolution.

This staff decision makes sense to us.  Vitter's involvement with the D.C. Madam had nothing to do with his status as a federal candidate.  His campaign account shouldn't be a legal slush fund.  We hope the FEC upholds the staff recommendation:

In asking for permission to use campaign money for legal expenses, Vitter's attorneys said that he would not have been subpoenaed by the Palfrey defense were it not for his status as a U.S. senator.

The commission's lawyers said that "even assuming that to be true, " it would not be enough to justify use of campaign money to pay the $85,322 in legal fees to quash the Palfrey subpoenas and another $75,213 for lawyers to monitor the Palfrey legal proceedings. Vitter's attorneys said that the senator already has spent $70,000 of his own money to cover the legal bills, which amounted to more than $200,000.

"Here Sen. Vitter's need for legal representation to quash Ms. Palfrey's subpoenas stemmed from his role as a potential witness in Ms. Palfrey's trial and was not related to information known to or acquired by Sen. Vitter during the course of his candidacy or in the performance of his duties as a U.S. senator, " the FEC attorneys wrote. "Moreover, Sen. Vitter's obligation as a witness to comply with a valid subpoena would exist irrespective of Sen. Vitter's campaign or duties as a U.S. senator."

In the end, Palfrey didn't call Vitter as a witness, although the federal judge overseeing the case said there was no legal impediment to her doing so.

Breaking news from Florida:

A woman police believe to be convicted Washington escort service operator Deborah Jeane Palfrey committed suicide, officials said Thursday.

Police said the body was found in a shed near Palfrey's mother's home Thursday morning. There was a suicide note, but police did not disclose its contents or how she killed herself.

Police did not immediately have additional comment when reached by telephone. Palfrey's attorney, Preston Burton, did not return a telephone call and e-mail message.

Palfrey was convicted April 15 by a federal jury of running a prostitution service that catered to members of Washington's political elite, including Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican.

Justice is served to the D.C. Madam.  Still waiting for some kind of action against her former patron, David Vitter: 

Deborah Jeane Palfrey was convicted this afternoon of racketeering and other charges after a federal court jury determined that her upscale escort service was actually a front for prostitution.

Jurors deliberated less than eight hours before returning the verdicts against Palfrey, 52, who stood impassively, with her hands folded in front of her, as the decision was read. She will remain free pending her sentencing July 24.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Connelly urged U.S. District Judge James Robertson to lock Palfrey up immediately, arguing that the verdict will give the woman dubbed the D.C. Madam a motive to flee. But the judge, noting that Palfrey has never missed a court appearance, denied the request.

The jury heard four days of often tawdry testimony from employees and clients of Pamela Martin & Associates, the business that Palfrey ran until 2006. Palfrey, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, did not testify. The jury convicted her of all charges: one count of racketeering, two of using the mail for illegal purposes, and one of money laundering.

News today that Senator David Vitter will not be called to testify at the trial of the alleged D.C. Madam:

Sen. David Vitter will not have to testify about his ties to an upscale Washington escort service, a defense attorney said Monday, sparing the Louisiana Republican an embarrassing trip to the witness stand.

Vitter has been on notice for more than a week that he could have to appear during the prostitution trial of Deborah Palfrey. Palfrey's attorney, Preston Burton, said he would rest his case Monday without calling Vitter or any other witnesses.

While Vitter still has not been subject to any ethical repercussions for his actions, one of the former prostitutes has:

A Navy officer who taught a leadership and ethics course at the Naval Academy faces dismissal after she testified Thursday that she moonlighted as an escort for the so-called D.C. Madam.

CREW filed an ethics complaint against Vitter last July. We're still waiting.