On Tuesday March 18, I interviewed the Canal Street Madam, Jeanette Maier, on my Ringside Politics radio program (WGSO 990 AM, M-F, 7-11 a.m.). Maier was featured on several national television programs, including Larry King Live, after the Elliot Spitzer scandal rocked the nation.
On my program, Maier made a fiery pitch for the de-criminalization of prostitution. She also railed against men who are not held accountable for their involvement with prostitutes, while the call girls are often the ones prosecuted. In the interview, she opened her infamous black book and accused Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser, Jr. of being a long time client. She even said that they used nicknames for him such as “Billy Boy”.Maier said that she was coming forward to expose political hypocrisy. As a result, Maier maintained that she has received death threats and is worried for her safety.
Maier also reiterated her accusations against U.S. Senator David Vitter, claiming that he was a customer of her brothel. Interestingly, Maier announced that she is considering a bid for political office, possibly a challenge to David Vitter when he seeks re-election in 2010.
During the interview on Tuesday, the WGSO 990 AM news department contacted Mr. Nungesser who denied the charges.
To listen to the entire interview, a pod cast of the program is available at the WGSO website. Here is a link:
Of course there are many people who are very skeptical of Maier’s comments. Critics note that Maier does not have any hard evidence linking Vitter or Nungesser to her brothel. In addition, she has a criminal record and is currently on probation. She was charged with prostitution and admitted to a career as a prostitute and a madam. However, her brothel was undoubtedly successful and few can deny that plenty of local politicians were among her scores of customers.
Maier has been featured in a television movie and numerous television and newspaper reports. She is working on a book and a Showtime cable television series based on her colorful life. To prove her controversial charges about Vitter and Nungesser, Maier vows to take a lie detector test.
Stay tuned, the full story of the Canal Street Madam has not yet been told and her little black book may one day be opened for all to see.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
As with many issues I am of two minds as concerns legalized prostitution. Certainly I would not want anyone I care for engaged in this trade. Although on one hand it reeks of sexual explotation of females (primarily), on the other hand I - generally speaking - hate to see people locked up for sexual activity (rape and sex with minors being the exceptions). On the Diane Sawyer CBS special on prostitution that ran recently there was an interesting comment: "men do not pay these women for sex, they pay them to leave afterwards." Written by kpf
on 3/24/2008
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Jeff, thank you for bringing sunlight and transparency to Louisiana politics and revealing once again, that the laws apply to everyone. The contrast with New Yorkers forcing their Gov. Spitzer to resign and our Louisiana boys getting the wink and nod treatment is striking. There are too many who feel that the law does not apply to them because they have hoarded wealth/capital, or because they have political power too. No one should be above the law and as a society we should condemn anyone who thinks they are! They did in New York, it should be no different in Louisiana. Written by Billy (Graham?)
on 3/24/2008
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this fame and money seeking woman has NO PROOF and yet, Jeff, you parade her around as the Pope of truthfulness. She is a felon with a rap sheet.
Shame on you. At least, in a court of law she would be FORCED to prove the truth...which you Vitter haters don't seem to care about. Most of this is coming from your long term hatred of Vitter, since he defeated your hero, Treen, years ago. You are anything but "fair and balanced" on this matter. I agree with man who has a letter to editor in this Sat. a.m.'s Times Picy.
Vitter has done alot of good for La.
Term limits ! The Dem.'s and the good old boy network would still be in control.
This is 1 La. resident who says," thank you, Sen. Vitter. That one bill that the pol.'s hated you for has changed La. forever for the better. Written by James P.
on 3/22/2008
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Gambling is illegal, so they just renamed it GAMING. End of legal problem!
Prostitution is illegal... so just rename it KNOODLING. End of legal problem! Written by JK
on 3/21/2008
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Dean's list, and all others. Dears, stop sligging the mud at the madame and start slinging it at her customers. Madame, dear, you could have made an honorable living but you chose the easy way out. Sorry, dear, but we feel that way. Now, stop being so selecting in slinging the mud and sling it all out at once and name the names. Stop your silly games and start naming all of the names. You game only leads credence to the belief that you are still plying your trade. If you want to make your mark in history and your bucks legally, then release that book to a publisher who will name them all. The press would gladly take advantage of this routine. Instead of allowing your self to become a victim again, start acting the part of a determined steel fisted woman and demand justice for all who fall victims, yes victims, to men who use them and then cross the street when they see them in public. Stop making promises and start making history. Written by RhettsWife
on 3/21/2008
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I definitely think that she needs to run for political office. Especially against Vitter. What a race. She will not have to spend a dime. she will have all the air waves. She does not have to worry about winning. What a movie!!! I dont bleive it would be any more mud sligging than we are used to. Someone who is smart should put her in and then should run himself or herself. I think there would be an opening. Of course, it may not be true. But since when have we worried about whether it is true or not in pollitics. Written by bOBBY
on 3/20/2008
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Apparently our Canal Street Madam can't seem to be content with her 15 minutes of fame and is trying to stretch it out to half an hour or more. Maybe we SHOULD make prostitution legal and offer her a Cabinet-level position. That would certainly give her the face time she keeps demanding. Each time one of these scandals surfaces, she surfaces right with it. Way to go, Madam! Keep that publicity machine rolling. Written by deanslist
on 3/20/2008
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Jeannette, dear, you owe it to the public to disclose everyone of the "johns" in that little black book. The Velevet Glove Brigade began as a group of oldsters looking for a way to express themselves. We even extended our membership to some of our gentlemen acquaintances. We sought a "nouveau" New Orleans and began our adventures. Now, if you are telling the truth, it is time to put out the contents of that little black book of yours. RW and the gang believe that only the women have suffered, now make those gems you entertained suffer also. Do we believe in legalization of prostitution. Sorry, dear, we do not. We believe that the issue is the decline of morals and this includes the morals of public figures and business and professionals who are taking our bucks. Show the steel fist under the glove, Jeannette. Hit them a good whack!!!!!!! See more about us on our simple little webpage http://rwlouisianaalive.com/ Jeff, dear, we are sorry that we missed that little interview. However, as you know, Jeff, we have been calling for the disclosure of the contents of that book for quite some time, even before elections. Time will tell, dear. Written by RhettsWife
on 3/20/2008
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Any fool can tell this woman is after $$ and to become famous.
Jeff, for you to allow her to do this tells me you are a fool.
Next she'll claim to have slept with Santa Claus and becuase of you hatred of Vitter--you'll put her on your show. Written by Ken
on 3/20/2008
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This guy is pitiful if he cared about his children he would have been resigned.And to the guy who wants to legalize prostitution, that mean i could offer money to your wife ,sister your daughter or grandmother to have sex with me, what a swell guy you are. Written by anthony
on 3/20/2008
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Jeff- You're "reportage" is turning into a CNBCesque tabloid journalistic witch hunt.
If anyone should be tarred and feathered and run out of town, it is this Canal Street Madam, whoever she is, who impliedly promised her clients discretion and confidentiality, and then reneged, delivering instead disclosure, sensationalism and who knows what else. And all in an effort to make yet more money, try to save her own skin by trashing political foes, ruin the good reputations (whether or not deserved) of certain, so far only Republican politicians--who had utilized her services, paid her money and were entitled to better than they got.
And you, Jeff, are no better, because you are only prostituting your own journalistic talents to provide her a forum for furthering her trashy mischief. Written by NotsoFastEddie
on 3/20/2008
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You know just about the most foolish thing that the Plaquemines Parish President, Billy Nungesser, could do was lie and deny that he was one of the Madame's best customers. Hell, make your prostitution payments public, in Plaquemines that wins votes from the political prostitutes and their sheeple! Written by Billy Boy
on 3/20/2008
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Actually, I think she was making the claim that the Parish President was fi.... never mind. Written by Dan
on 3/20/2008
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Heck, gambling is legal in Louisiana, why not follow suit with Nevada and make prostitution legal also? It would only appear to be logical to do so. Then we won't have the sensationalism involved. And while we are at it, bribery should be sanctioned also.... That way our civil servants, and representatives don't have to slink around in the night......... Yes, free at last!!!! Free at last!!!!!! Written by ...Where do we go from here?????
on 3/20/2008
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On Tuesday March 18, I interviewed the Canal Street Madam, Jeanette Maier, on my Ringside Politics radio program (WGSO 990 AM, M-F, 7-11 a.m.). Maier was featured on several national television programs, including Larry King Live, after the Elliot Spitzer scandal rocked the nation. 
