A press release sent this evening by Hustler publisher Larry Flynt confirms that a phone number belonging to ABC newsman Sam Donaldson appeared in the records of the alleged “DC Madam” Deborah Jeane Palfrey, as Big Head DC first revealed some time ago. Radar magazine and the Huffington Post have both falsely claimed that the Big Head DC story was somehow factually inaccurate. We have long claimed that the existence of Donaldson’s number in Palfrey’s records - combined with the existence of phone records of one or more other news personalities from the ABC network in the records - prevented ABC News from revealing a fuller report on the spectrum of politicos and others within Palfrey’s records when the network released their exclusive Brian Ross interview with Palfrey in May of this year. In essence, there was a cover-up by ABC News. Palfrey has confirmed as much to Big Head DC.

The full release follows: Read more…

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Blogger Matt Janovic is alleging Big Head DC believes Deborah Jane Palfrey, the accused “DC Madam,” is lying about her case:

Right, Sam Donaldson IS in the phone records of Deborah Jeane Palfrey’s defunct Pamela Martin & Associates, but it isn’t significant. Have you ever dialed the wrong number before? Sam’s relatives did, since one of Palfrey’s numbers was one-digit off from Donaldson’s, so she kept getting calls from them, and over-and-over again.

Cue Radar magazine’s site editor John Cook and an overzealous…BigheadDC.com who thought they had a major scoop that required virtually no investment and could bring in those advertising dollars. A source close to the story has confirmed that there was no story to begin with. But they went and ran it anyway, and have now turned on each other claiming different stories. Readers should note that they both appear to be contending that Palfrey is lying, which is pretty low of them considering she’s a defendant. That’s how it goes in this story–guilty until proven innocent, a curiously un-American contention that runs-through the affair labeled “Hookergate” by the mainstream press…

FYI, Matt, Big Head DC’s editor has spent hours interviewing Palfrey, and we have posted most every one of her lawyer’s updates on the case. No source close to the situation has ever told us “there was no story to begin with.” You need to understand that Donaldson’s inclusion in her records speaks volumes as to why ABC News may have covered up political and other ramifications of her story when the network was researching it this past Spring. Also, what if another past or current ABC anchor appears in her records? Just another wrong number? More to come…

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This well-reasoned question just came in from a person who is quite familiar with the Deborah Jeane Palfrey case, and its implications.

Look, I understand this has all been unpleasant for you, but why do you and Mr. Cook insist on fixating on the salacious-side of this story? I mean, honestly, why not leave your desk, drive over to Alexandria, Va., and go talk to Ronald Roughead? While you’re at it, why not track down some leads on the people prosecuting Ms. Palfrey? In addition, you need to check on the SAIC connection and lobbying…oh, never mind. Ms. Palfrey stands behind my assertions that you guys wanted salaciousness and that when it didn’t pan-out with Donaldson, the problems began. Both you and Mr. Cook are a major disappointment, along with Larisa of Rawstory, Huffpo, and the rest of the media. All you’re doing is making a site that’s a copy of all the same problems the MSM currently embodies. Change the focus, and you might be doing something, otherwise, it’s just gossip. However, I was impressed with the Leola McConnell story, though I think she’s got a lot of proving to do with her story — if she’s still alive.

Our response:

You make excellent points about the media, [NAME REDACTED]. The point in this situation is that Donaldson’s number IS in Palfrey’s records. I’ve always maintained that the bigger story here is that ABC News likely killed a larger story once it was determined that possibly more than one of their reporters appeared on the list. Radar has managed to muddle that aspect of the story because they were angry that Big Head DC did its own independent reporting to confirm that part of the story — with sources that they couldn’t possibly have spoken with. Just because they asked me for help does NOT mean I was beholden to report a story for them. Their pontifications about Big Head DC’s scoop makes it more difficult for people to see the problematic way ABC covered this story. And that’s a shame.

Earlier: Jossip Weighs In on Big Head DC / Radar Online Flap Over Sam Donaldson’s “DC Madam” Escort Business

And: EXCLUSIVE: Sam Donaldson’s Number Appears in DC Madam’s Escort Records

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And Jossip is starting to figure out that Radar has been playing fast and loose with the facts:

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Only her first day on the job and the new Wonkette editor hates us. God, she’s already starting to remind us of ex-Wonkette editor Alex Pareene. And who knew that a girl like her would have a crush on Sam Donaldson? Sadly, he’s taken!

Related? Big Head DC Now Beating Wonkette!!!

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Must credit Big Head DC:

Big Head DC has independently confirmed that a phone number belonging to longtime ABC newsman Sam Donaldson appears within the escort records of Deborah Jeane Palfrey. Palfrey, who is better known as the “D.C. Madam,” owned the Washington-based Pamela Martin & Associates escort business for several years through 2006.

Palfrey has told Big Head DC that she has communicated with Donaldson via telephone on at least one occasion. Once when she talked to Donaldson, she says, he was immediately panicked and asked how she got his number. Other times he left messages on her voice mail. Donaldson has not returned repeated requests for comment.

Big Head DC has determined that several media organizations, including ABC News - the employer of Donaldson - have long been holding information that indicates Donaldson’s number was listed within the records of the alleged “DC Madam.”

ABC News interviewed Palfrey last spring, and failed to uncover several prominent names on her list, including that of Sen. David Vitter. Sources indicate that ABC may have been withholding some information at least in part because their researchers had long ago discovered the Donaldson connection.

When ABC News was researching Palfrey’s story in April and May, she says they told her that they had found two prominent news anchors’ numbers in her phone records.

Donaldson married his wife Janice C. Smith in 1983.

Related: A BHDC Greatest Hit: Interview With the “DC Madam”

And: Flynt Teases New “Huge” GOP Senate Sex Scandal

New Criminal Lawyer for “DC Madam” & New Subpeonas for Brian Ross, Cindy Adams & Bill Bastone

And: EXCLUSIVE: “DC Madam” Insists ABC Knew More Than It Reported

And: ABC News Offers Weak Defense

And: “DC Madam” Case Reveals Serious ABC News Flaws

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