A Republican congressman has asked for the public's "forgiveness," following a leaked video that reportedly showed him kissing a woman who was not his wife.
Louisiana Rep. Vance McAllister released a public statement on Monday, just hours after the Ouchita Citizen posted a video of McAllister allegedly "passionately embracing and kissing one of his congressional aides," on December 23.
According to USA Today, an anonymous source first sent the news group the video.
"There's no doubt I've fallen short and I'm asking for forgiveness," McAllister, father to five children, wrote in his statement. "I'm asking for forgiveness from God, my wife, my kids, my staff and my constituents who elected me."
A surveillance camera reportedly picked up the footage at McAllister's office in Monroe, USA Today reported.
In the video, 40-year-old McAllister appears to kiss Melissa Anne Hixon Peacock, 33. Federal payroll files state this woman is a part-time aide.
Apart from McAllister's statement, the congressman's office has not publicly addressed the video, nor have officials spoken to any news organizations.
McAllister's November election win was largely regarded as an upset, as his opponent was a well-known GOPer with institutional support from both local and national Republicans.
McAllister famously brought reality television patriarch Willie Robertson of Duck Dynasty to accompany him to President Obama's State of the Union speech.
"From Day One, I've always tried to be an honest man," Monday's statement continued. "I ran for Congress to make a difference and not to just be another politician. I don't want to make a political statement on this, I would just simply like to say that I'm sorry for what I've done."
