-
- WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hustler Magazine and its publisher, Larry Flynt,
offered up to $1 million Sunday for stories from individuals who can prove
they committed adultery with members of Congress or high-ranking government
officials. ``Have you had an adulterous sexual encounter with a current
member of the United States Congress or a high-ranking government official?''
Flynt asked in a full-page advertisement published in the Sunday edition
of The Washington Post. ``Can you provide documentary evidence of illicit
sexual relations with a congressman, senator or other prominent officeholder?''
the advertisement asked. Flynt said Hustler would pay up to $1 million
``if we choose to publish your verified story and use your material.''
Flynt's offer was published just one day before the House Judiciary Committee
was to vote on whether there should be a formal congressional impeachment
inquiry over President Clinton's relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
Flynt's ad said ``all calls and correspondence will be kept strictly confidential''
and it provided a toll-free number and an e-mail address for respondents
to use. The advertisement said the offer expires on May 1, 1999 ``if not
sooner revoked.'' This was not the first time Flynt said he was willing
to pay big bucks for information relating to a controversial dispute. Flynt's
adult magazine previously offered a multimillion-dollar reward for finding
who he claimed were the true assassins of President John Kennedy. In September,
Flynt, whose company has announced plans to launch several new publications
in the coming months, gained publicity from the White House scandal when
he wrote to independent counsel Kenneth Starr, who investigated the Clinton-Lewinsky
relationship, offering him a job. ``After a reading of the Starr report
I am impressed by the salacious and voyeuristic nature of your work,''
Flynt wrote to Starr. ``The quality and quantity of material you have assembled
in the Starr report contains more pornographic references than those provided
by Hustler Online services this month.'' He said Hustler Online in September
had 44 graphic references to genitalia, while the Starr report had 50.
|
