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Mandel Ngan / AFP - Getty Images
Former Senator Pete Domenici, R-N.M., introduces former White House chief of staff Jack Lew during the Senate Finance Committee hearing on Lew's nomination to be Treasury Secretary on Feb. 13.
Former Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico revealed Wednesday that he fathered a child outside his marriage three decades ago with the daughter of another former senator.
Domenici, 80, a Republican who served six terms in the Senate before retiring in 2008, and the mother of the child each released statements to the Albuquerque Journal acknowledging Domenici’s fatherhood.
“I deeply regret this and am very sorry for my behavior,” Domenici said. “I hope New Mexicans will view that my accomplishments for my beloved state outweigh my personal transgression.”
The child, now grown, was identified as Adam Paul Laxalt, a lawyer in Las Vegas. His mother, Michelle Laxalt, is the daughter of Paul Laxalt, a Republican who represented Nevada in the Senate for 12 years before leaving in 1987.
Michelle Laxalt said in her statement: “One night’s mistake led to pregnancy more than 30 years ago.” She said that she raised the son as a single mother, and that Domenici had agreed to keep his fatherhood secret because of their connections to the Senate.
Domenici and Michelle Laxalt said they were releasing the information now because they thought someone else would shop it around to media outlets to damage Domenici’s reputation.
Her statement went on to say: “Recently information has come to me that this sacred situation might be twisted, re-written out of whole cloth, and shopped to press outlets large and small in a vicious attempt to smear, hurt and diminish Pete Domenici, an honorable man, his extraordinary wife, Nancy, and other innocents.”
Michelle Laxalt has been recognized as one of the most powerful lobbyists in Washington, and has appeared as a cable news pundit.
In an appearance on “Larry King Live” on CNN in March 2007, she defended Domenici during a discussion about U.S. attorneys who had been fired by President George W. Bush’s attorney general. One of the fired U.S. attorneys had suggested that Domenici improperly tried to influence his handling of an investigation.
Laxalt said that night: “You’re attacking the integrity of someone who has been in public service for his entire lifetime, at great sacrifice, supporting no fewer than eight children and with the many sacrifices and the many contributions Senator Domenici has made, not only to the country, but to New — the state of New Mexico.”
Domenici and his wife had eight children together. Domenici, reached at home Wednesday by The Associated Press, declined further comment. His statement said that his family has known for several months, and that he has “apologized as best I can” to his wife.
The website of Adam Paul Laxalt’s law firm identifies him as a former naval officer who served in Iraq.
Last week, another member of Congress, Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen, said that he learned only three years ago that he has a daughter, now 24. Cohen, a Democrat, made the revelation after reporters inquired about messages he was sending to the woman on Twitter during the State of the Union address.
Domenici was on Capitol Hill last week to introduce Jack Lew, President Barack Obama’s nominee for treasury secretary, at his confirmation hearing. The two worked together when Lew served as President Bill Clinton’s budget director and Domenici chaired the Senate Budget Committee.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story was originally published on Wed Feb 20, 2013 12:45 PM EST
Leave a Comment:
"supporting no fewer than 8 children".
I thought he had 8 children.
On another note the outgoing pope had sex and his butler fathered an extreamly large turd, which was sent to the US senate as a gift from higher up. The turd will be displayed on the senate floor so all the othr turds can take notice of texture, smell, and the incredible semblance to US Congressmen.
Its amazing how we elect people like this (and lets face it; its the same for both Democrats AND Repubblicans) on platforms of family values, only to see they whipping out their wieners left and right, at the drop of a hat. 75% of Americans don't do things like this, yet these fellas seem to not be able to help themselves, even at the harm of their loved ones and careers and names. Its not that the 75% haven't gotten caught or are not under the spotlight or microscope; they just don't do things like this.........yet time and time again these fellas just can't keep their johnsons in their pants. It must be an ego thing with politicians. Its a shame we fall for it; on both sides of the fence.
I wonder if petey is drawing one of those nice BIG government "tit" pensions and has that ELITE government "TIT" health care for the rest of his life???????????
Just a small snapshot of this mans character. Hand always in the cookie jar just like all the rest of our beloved politicians. I'm sure if lobbyist were able to have immunity the stories would be juicy. what an embarrassment.
Careful! This "family values" turd may try to pull a comeback like that turd is currently doing down in South Carolina.
He just goit back from hiking the Appalachian Trail-- in Argentina.
No shame. No shame.
David Giles?
Strom "Segregation Forever" Thurmond?
The family photo is not quite complete!
Can someone tell me the difference between the fundemental immorality of this crud and Jesse Jackson (Jr or Sr)?
Absolutely none!
If you don't believe me, then go ask Newtie Tootie-- a man of such high principals he said the problems in his life were... [quote] "because I was too patriotic!" DUH?!
Said while campaigning in 2011, when explaining his cheating problems on previous wives. Ahh, Calista...!
Only the color of the wrapper and the platform from which they emit their poison, in effort to get their hands in your wallet! Well, and one other thing this guy will never hold public office again!
Agree 100% LIFE TIME PENSION???, Fully deserving of Military Personnel, They work 24/7, months or years on end, life on the line. No other job or profession comes close to that, especially a political career.
Boy, you got that one right!
I maintain that the issue of sexual lives should not be held to public scrutiny.
Pretensions aside, we are all genetically pre-disposed to want sex.
As long as both parties are willing participants, who cares? If it's a matter of infidelity, that's between spouses.
.
.
This is one of the few times I agree with you Steven.
Agree 100% LIFETIME PENSION????? Military Personnel work 24/7, months and years on end, life on the line, 100% deserving. Not the case with a cushy political career.
I have a feeling that the next "love child" situation involving a politician, may require a DNA test.
Hmmmmmmm, I wonder who'd announce those results?
Does anyone know if this piece of work is even paying any kind of back child/mother support?
There's a former Repub Senator in Illinois, I believe-- who is currently claiming he can't pay his $100,000 child support-- b/c he doesn't have a job, now.
I can't remember his name, but he was recently a loser when the Dems kicked butt in 2012!
I hope someone can quickly remember his name.
ted415784,
That's a great question. Seriously, if he didn't he should be required to pay something, even if the money is donated to charity by his son or the mother. It's only fair and it sends out a powerful message to the many parents who are remiss on paying their child support. I was a teacher and I experienced this first hand.
C_D, I think you're talking about John Walsh. He owes $117,000 in child support, and is one of the most repulsive, slimy politicians who ever crawled out from under a rock. As far as I'm concerned, he can slither back under there any time.
David Giles?
Thanks, flbikerchick! Good looking out.
If secret service got involve to help the senator of new mexico and the lobbyists lie for 30 years, and then to do vigilante work to help the catholic pope establish credibility in accusing him the chinese of whipping an acounting/finance department full of mexican whitecollar catholic workers for weeks; then what kind of punishment should secret service gets?
C D J 55
below appear to be the facts that you are referring to kind of hard these days to get the truth anymore
next election i'm voting for Monica Lewenski's boy friends wife for president
“Two weeks ago, I did what every other father who is paying child support is supposed to do — by law — when their employment situation changes: I modified my support agreement,” Walsh said in a statement. “With my congressional term ending on Jan. 3, and with my ex-wife having been paid in full through my term in Congress, by law, I filed a modification of my support payments for my remaining un-emancipated child for these next four months. This modification called for me to pay my ex-wife 20 percent of my net income during these four months, which is my responsibility by law.”
Gotcha, 1hnstchipol.
There seems to be lots of politicians who do worse than what Bill Clinton did, for sure.
I'm sure this secret never had any effect on Domenici's voting record, or national security. No one would use this secret to keep him line or twist his arm. No ... that would be wrong for the Right to do that. Just like another Republican with a secret... Strom Thurman.
Agreed
agreed
LOL, they run our country our lives and control our future and cant keep their greedy hands out of the cookie jar or their d icks out of each others wives and children or friends. Good to know who runs our lives or controls them and then condemns us before we have a say. We the people agree to be dominated by people who condemn the sins they commit regularly. GG
The GOP and sexual paranoia go hand in hand. When, oh when, will it end?
With the likes of David Giles.
Not sure who David Giles is. Is he on this list?
http://www.republicanoffenders.com/RepublicanCriminals.pdf
Or this list??
http://republicanoffenders.com/
Maybe this one?
http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/Republican_Sex_Scandals
Got to be on this one.
http://liberalslikechrist.org/about/chickenhawks.html
He (Pete) should be he didn't serve in Korea......
Okay I know this only covers the tip of the iceberg that is the Republican Corruption Party.
You know who he is.
Just to be clear as I am trying to understand American Family Values 101. Mr. Pete can have an affair with the daughter of a friend/co-worker, keep it a secret from his wife, and his children for 30 years and ONLY reveals it because it is getting ready to come out anyway. Pete says he believes his marriage is what God wants.
I have been faithful to my partner of 22 years. We have raised multiple rescue dogs, we have a home that is starting to fall apart and we are in search of a roof we can afford. We have friends and contribute to society in various ways, with the elderly, animal rights, neighborhood watch, theatre etc. I have been through heart surgery, we each lost a parent, and yet here we are still loving, and trying to make each other the best man possible.
Can you explain to me (and leave religion out of it) what part of my life that you find so vile that I shoud not have the same right at you. I don't want the extras.....like the affairs, screwing around on my friends, getting young girls pregnant (condoms?). I don't want power over others, or money from taxpayer. I just want the right to marry the man I mentioned. You see because the man I mentioned that I have been faithrul to, I do that because I am a MAN and I am in love and do have a need to look elsewhere.
That is what we call VALUE in my America.
Whatever he's a looser and a liar - AKA: Politican
People make mistakes, she kept the child and he supported them which is honorable. The kid was no mistake and was not neglected. People make mistakes and dealing with them will determine just who you are in life. Enough said let it be.
Did she have big tits?
Big news! The Congress has been screwing us for years so I should come as no
surprise that they are also screwing their own.
"Family Values" hard at work lol
another elected official with no morals...just alot of money and free medical
Better admit than pretend to have morals (be perfect?) which is a much bigger problem.
Happy, the article said his family had known for "several months now". The conception took place 30 years ago. So he's been "pretending to have morals" for 30 years, and probably would have gone to his grave "pretending", if it had not been for what appears to be a leak of the knowledge of his fathering this child to someone with less morals than him.
Yes, he came clean...30 years too late, IMO. Harldy what anyone would call upstanding moral behavior.