The United States Capitol Complex. - File photo image:5121:2::0

Tom Athans is a radio executive who heads TalkUSA Radio, based in Washington, D.C. He expressed his remorse on Wednesday after he was caught in the sting in February.


According to detnews.com
Athans said:

"No words can fully express how sorry I am. At the time this incident occurred, I took responsibility for my actions and fully cooperated with law enforcement. My family and I are dealing with this matter in a personal and private way."

Undercover officers were investigating a possible prostitution ring in a hotel In Troy Mich. Athans had paid a 20 year old prostitute $150 for oral sex in the hotel. He was not arrested.

A room at a Residence Inn was under surveillance by the Troy officers. They saw Athans enter the room and leave 15 minutes later. He was followed by officers and was stopped not too far from the hotel.

The officers were told by Athans that he had met the female friend online at Craig's list and stopped by to see her after being given a room number.

After the woman took the $150 from the counter top where he had placed it she performed a sex act on him.

After officers entered the room they found $431 in cash, a laptop computer and condoms. She was arrested and identified as Alycia Lorraine Martin. She was charged with prostitution and released on $100 bond and is to appear for a pretrial hearing April 22 in Troy District Court.

Athans had cooperated with the officers and was told if the case goes to trial he will be called as a witness to testify and to identify the woman. He never told the officers that he was the husband of Debbie Stabenow.

According to freep.com Stabenow said the she is going through a "very difficult and personal time," but she states that she needs to keep her focus on her job in Washington.