Busted! Top Aide To Socially Conservative Senator Kelly Ayotte Resigns After Prostitution Arrest

United States Senator Kelly Ayotte doesn’t hold back. Currently in her first term of office, the Republican from New Hampshire often speaks with passion and candor on social issues. Indeed, On the Issues rates Ayotte as a “right conservative.” So it’s a safe bet that the opinionated politican had a choice word or two come to mind when she learned that one of her top aides was recently arrested in a prostitution sting.

According to the Huffington Post, 62 year-old David Wihby was arrested on April 3 at a hotel in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was charged with one misdemeanor count of solicitation of prostitution. In addition to Wihby’s position as State Director for Kelly Ayotte, he is also a school board member for the city of Manchester and he served as a city alderman for 18 years.

An Associated Press report, published online by MassLive, indicated David Wihby’s arrest came as part of a prostitution sting operation conducted at two hotels in Nashua. A total of 10 men were caught in the dragnet.

The arrest of David Wihby has provided political fodder for one of Kelly Ayotte’s key political opponents, former New Hampshire House Speaker Bill O’Brien. O’Brien reportedly holds a grudge against Ayotte and some of her political associates for backing another representative for speakership last year. WMUR 9 noted that O’Brien jokingly suggested that Ayotte should “circulate a letter on (Wihby’s) behalf” to help him out of his current legal woes, adding, “Ayotte owns this one.” In a subsequent interview with WMUR, O’Brien built upon his critique, pointing out that Ayotte is an outspoken proponent of legislation aimed at eliminating human trafficking and that Wihby’s alleged conduct actually promotes that very industry. O’Brien also claimed that Ayotte expressed an undue amount of sympathy for Wihby — who reportedly attempted to commit suicide shortly after his arrest — instead taking the opportunity to express compassion for victims of human trafficking.

For her part, Senator Ayotte acknowledged Wihby’s arrest and announced his subsequent resignation in a statement reported by CNN and other news sources.

“I am shocked and deeply saddened that David Wihby, my state director and a friend for many years, has been arrested under these circumstances,” Ayotte said. “David obviously cannot continue his duties, and I have accepted his resignation. This is a very difficult time, and my thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved.”

Senator Kelly Ayotte isn’t likely to be intimidated by inter-party rhetoric and intrigue, as she’s become accustomed to speaking frankly on the kind of geopolitical matters that transcend simple political squabbles. As reported by Inquisitr, in 2014, Ayotte publicly suggested that the Russian government was behind the downing of a Malaysia Airlines plane airliner that was shot down over Ukraine.

David Wihby is now out of jail after posting $2,000 bond. He will be arraigned in Nashua District Court on May 11.