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WORLD / Newsmaker |
Paper: 8 men claim encounters with CraigUpdated: 2007-12-03 21:11 The report is the US Statesman's latest on allegations about Craig's sexual background since his June arrest in an airport men's room sex sting operation was reported in late August. Statesman Editor Vicki Gowler said the newspaper spent several months checking the backgrounds and details of the men's stories. "We believe it's important for you to know what we've learned and to hear the men's own words," Gowler said. Two of the identified men and one of the unidentified men told the newspaper they had sex with Craig. One of the men identified in the report, Mike Jones, 50, described as a former male escort, was the focus of the sex scandal involving Haggard, the disgraced leader of Colorado's New Life Church. Jones said Craig paid him US$200 for sex in late 2004 or early 2005. The encounter took place at a studio apartment in downtown Denver, Jones said. Jones told the Statesman that he did not recognize Craig until his arrest made the news. The newspaper reported that Jones went on the record after Craig appeared in a television news report in August to address the arrest and his future in politics. Jones has written a book about his experience with Haggard and acknowledged to the Statesman that his allegation about Craig might help sales. A message left for Jones by The Associated Press through his publisher Sunday evening was not immediately returned. Current phone numbers could not be found for the three other men identified in the Statesman's report. Amid pressure from top GOP leaders in Washington, Craig announced his intent to resign from the Senate. He later changed his mind, deciding to finish out his term, which expires in January 2009. He is also appealing in Minnesota courts to have his guilty plea overturned. The undercover police officer who arrested Craig said the senator moved his foot next to the officer's foot and tapped it in a way that indicated he wanted sex. He also alleged the senator sent a signal by swiping his hand under the divider between men's room stalls. Craig has said the officer misconstrued those motions. |
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