lol, this is my own personal bias coming out but I love it when I see prosecutors get out out to dry like this.

That was one entertaining press conference. I actually felt sorry for the guy...sort of. There are many people on this board who would like - and who deserve - the same consideration he is asking for. And I don't know how this cannot on some level affect his job..."people make mistakes" is hardly the mantra of a successful prosecutor.

Very true joe, but he was very clear about he did not break the law. So I'm guessing his new found grace will only extend in that sense.

Thing is that no one should HAVE to apologize for it (except maybe to their spouse) but the war on sex extends to reflect the morals that others think everyone else should have - i for one am sick of it

People should know that NOTHING is anonymous on the internet.

I agree - but I do think it is amazing that everyone expects them to all apologize for immorality. How arrogant people are. You know I do not like public officials and LE or attorneys (especially prosecutors) but come on! This is not illegal - it is immoral. Funny that Canada and US are partners in offering a big reward for the identity of the hackers - too funny. Cat is out of the bag so what is the point? Also no one seems concerned that all those peoples personal credit card info is out there - no it is about the morality of it - plllleeeeezzze

HAHAHAHAHAH itsjust like they say with a SO they are only sorry because they got CAUGHT!

This state attorney appears to have an Adult Friend Finder profile as well that includes information about a woman he was having an affair with

http://tinyurl.com/pcdol3f

This guy has put several sex sting defendants behind bars over the years. In pursuit of the convictions there's no telling how many times he's lied, knowingly allowed perjured testimony or hidden evidence favorable to the defendants.

In one case that I know of the defendant made multiple reports to the NCMEC about the ad he had answered but didn't get any response back from the NCMEC or law enforcement. In one of the reports he stated he was going to continue talking hoping to get more information to help the authorities. In the end he was arrested and charged like any other sting defendant.

He told his family and his attorney he made the reports and luckily his family at least believed him. A motion was filed to compel the production of copies of his reports. Ashton's response? There weren't any reports ever made so there was nothing to turn over. The investigators said they didn't receive any NCMEC reports either. This guy's father knew the system though and was able to locate a copy of one of the reports through other channels. With the paper trail from that report they were able to establish the defendant did make reports, the reports were forwarded to Polk County which in turn sent them on to Orange County where they were received by ICAC investigators while the sting was going on and they were ignored. Ashton knew all of this so he willfully suppressed the reports and knowingly had investigators lie under oath..Once this was brought to light he dropped the case but nothing was ever done to him.

Months later the defendant applied for a job and a background check was done. The background check said his case was still unresolved. He then filed to have everything expunged. Ashton objected to the expungement blocking it claiming "The people had a right to know the defendant tried to sexually abuse a child"

Now even the state police union is calling for an investigation into Ashton's online activities.

http://tinyurl.com/nhuce4d

He deserves everything coming his way and worse but the reality is he'll just "retire" to private practice and maybe end up divorced. A slap on the wrist compared to all the immoral, unethical and illegal acts he's taken just to get convictions.

I have to agree Aladdin - he is local to me and the guy is one that did everything he could to get his numbers of convictions up -

I'm confused. Isn't this basically prostitution? I mean they're paying for sex, right? And last I knew, prostitution is illegal.

"He said he made the account out of curiosity.

“While no laws have been broken, these were incredibly stupid choices,” Ashton said.

Out of curiosity is also the motivation for JSO's but an apology doesn't cut it when it's not a public official "apologizing" Public Officials seem to think they are above all those pesky "details" Their motto is "Do as I Say Not as I do." AND he is the one to decide whether what he did "out of curiosity" was legal or illegal?

As Aladin4d notes below: "This state attorney appears to have an Adult Friend Finder profile as well that includes information about a woman he was having an affair with

http://tinyurl.com/pcdol3f "

Jeff Ashton is so fugly he is likely to be found on one of those "escort" sites because I can't see anyone having an intimate moment with him without getting some financial compensation in return.

No they are paying for membership to the site so that can meet other people who want to have an affair