Man who outed Haggard stands by his decision

[seafan]

Man who outed Haggard stands by his decision

BY STEVE ROTHAUS
Thu, Nov. 23, 2006



RONNA GRADUS/MIAMI HERALD STAFF
SHARING STORIES: Mike Jones, left, the male escort who exposed his sexual involvement with Ted Haggard recently, sits with David Leddick, right, who is writing a book about male escorts.

Jones just spent three days in Miami Beach, where he did a photo shoot and interview for an upcoming book by South Florida writers David Leddick and Heriberto Sanchez and photographer David Vance. The title: Escort.
--snip
Three weeks ago, the muscular massage therapist went public and told the world that he had a three-year relationship with Haggard -- married president of the 30-million member National Association of Evangelicals, a confidante of President Bush and a leader in the anti-gay political movement.

Haggard, 50, paid $200 cash per session, ''plus tips,'' said Jones, who said he also helped Haggard buy methamphetamine.
At first, Haggard denied even knowing Jones. Within days of the scandal breaking on Nov. 2, Haggard amended his story, saying that he had paid Jones only for a massage and that he did buy meth -- but that he had thrown it away, unused. The reverend soon resigned from all church leadership positions and publicly called himself ``a deceiver and a liar.''

Jones said a man named Art first called him about three years ago.
Six months ago, Jones saw Haggard on television discussing the Antichrist. 'I said, `Oh my God, that's Art!' ''
Haggard helped lead a successful election battle this month to ban gay marriage in Colorado. ''He was reaching millions of people and that was difficult for me...."

snip

Many, though, decry him for ruining Haggard's career and hurting the reverend's family.
''People have scolded me for that, particularly right-wing people,'' Jones said. 'But did Ted Haggard go to his wife and say, `I'm going to have a gay affair. Is this going to hurt you and the kids?' I don't want to have this guilt over my head.''
Jones' fellow sex workers are not happy, either.
''All the escorts are with me. This was such a unique situation. I could have ruined many careers in my day. A lot of politicians and athletes and clergy. But none of them got up and ranted and raved about homosexuality,'' he said.

snip

[Ian David]

1. Mike Jones is my favorite meth-dealing hooker in the whole world! n/t

[Lautremont]

2. I thought this was something about Merle Haggard. (nt)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Has Jones been able to get employment?

I read in another article that he said he'd had death threats and no longer felt safe giving massages in his home, and in other's homes. Is there a book deal in the works for him, do you think?

[seafan]

4. I have no idea. This was a local story and didn't have many other details. n/t