Associated Press - September 29, 2009 6:24 PM ET

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The agency that reviews lawyer conduct says it can't comment on a public watchdog group's request to investigate allegations that U.S. Sen. David Vitter solicited prostitutes.

The bar complaint by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington arises from Vitter's admission of a "serious sin" in 2007 after his phone number appeared in records of a Washington prostitution ring. Vitter has refused to discuss details or answer questions about the matter. He has denied subsequent allegations of involvement with prostitutes in New Orleans.

CREW spokeswoman Naomi Seligman says the complaint letter was faxed to the Baton Rouge-based Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Charles Plattsmier, an attorney for the Office, says Supreme Court rules prohibit confirming or denying that a complaint has been filed.

A Vitter spokesman accused CREW of trying to shift attention away from Democratic ties to the community organizing group ACORN, and did not address the group's allegations of misconduct by Vitter.

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