Louisiana Congressman Vance McAllister has been caught on-camera kissing one of his staffers. His office's security camera captured the tryst, which occurred on December 23, 2013.
McAllister became a politician less than five months ago after spending decades in the private sector. McAllister owns oilfields, real estate, Subway franchises, and other businesses. He defeated the more experienced Senator Neil Riser in a runoff election, and assumed office November 16, 2013.
The conservative Republican ran on a "faith, family, and country platform" last fall, frequently inserting spirituality into his ads, speeches, and media interviews.
"Many people make light of my spiritual faith, but that is okay with me," McAllister told a local newspaper in November. "I know the blessing that I have received from the good Lord and the inner peace that comes from being a believer."
"If you want to talk to me about my faith, I will. It's who I am; I'm not hiding from it," he stated in one campaign commercial.
His campaign office was the location of the recorded affair, which was first reported by The Ouachita Citizen. The surveillance footage shows McAllister passionately kissing a woman for nearly thirty seconds.
According to The Ouachita Citizen, the woman in the video is 33-year old Melissa Anne Hixon Peacock, McAllister's district scheduler. Melissa is married to Heath Peacock, 34, and worked as a cosmetologist before joining the congressman's staff in November.
McAllister has been married to his wife, Kelly, for 16 years. They have five children, ages 19 to three.
The shamed congressman is now humbling himself, and asking for privacy, as his family deals with the scandal.
"There's no doubt I've fallen short and I'm asking for forgiveness," McAllister wrote in a statement. "I'm asking for forgiveness from God, my wife, my kids, my staff, and my constituents who elected me to serve.
"Trust is something I know has to be earned whether you're a husband, a father, or a congressman. I promise to do everything I can to earn back the trust of everyone I've disappointed. While I realize I serve the public, I would appreciate the privacy given to my children as we get through this."
in light of the revelation of the affair, Heath Peacock revealed that his life has been ruined and that he will be divorcing his wife. 'I'm just freaking devastated by the whole deal, man. I loved my wife so much," he told The Ouachita Citizen today. "I cannot believe this. I cannot freaking believe it. I feel like I'm going to wake up here in a minute and this is all going to be a bad nightmare. He has wrecked my life. We are headed for divorce."
It appears that the congressman has no plans to resign. Mrs. Peacock has not released a statement.
