MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — A top aide to U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, has resigned after his arrest in a prostitution sting.
David Wihby, Ayotte’s state director, was arrested on Friday at a hotel in Nashua and charged with one misdemeanor count of solicitation of prostitution.
Ayotte said she was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the arrest of Wihby, whom she described as a longtime friend.
“David obviously cannot continue his duties, and I have accepted his resignation,” Ayotte said in a statement. “This is a very difficult time, and my thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved.”
Ayotte, a former state attorney general, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010. She is expected to face a tough 2016 re-election battle in a state where support tends to swing between Republicans and Democrats.
Wihby, 62, also is a school board member in Manchester, the largest city in New Hampshire. He had previously served as a city alderman for 18 years.
Wihby is a close friend of Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas, prominent Republican leader in the state.
“My heart is heavy,” Gatsas said in a statement on Monday. “David Wihby and I have been friends for almost 50 years. He has dedicated much of his life to public service and done a lot of good for a lot of people.”
Wihby could not be reached for comment on Monday. He was released on $2,000 bail and is due to be arraigned on May 11.