TROY, Mich. -- Thomas Athans, husband of U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and co-founder of a liberal talk radio network, admitted to police that he paid a prostitute $150 for sex in a suburban Detroit hotel.

According to a police report obtained by Local 4 through the Freedom of Information Act, Thomas Athans, 46, was stopped by Troy police during a prostitution sting at the Residence Inn on Livernois.

According to the report, Athans admitted to police that he met a prostitute at the hotel.

"I contacted (Kerry, Terry or Kara) on Craigslist," the report said. "I visited her at the Residence Inn. She performed oral sex for $150."

Craigslist is a popular Internet site that runs free classified ads.

The woman he allegedly met was Alycia Martin, 20, of Westland, who was charged with prostitution.

Athans was not arrested. Instead, he agreed to cooperate with investigators and testify in court against Martin.

"We work these things through surveillance and through trying to develop witnesses in terms of the people that may be visiting these prostitution sites versus injecting our officers in an undercover situation where they're the ones actually trying to solicit," said Lt. Gerry Scherlinck of the Troy Police Department.

"So, we kind of work on the outside, working in."

Stabenow released a short statement to the media Wednesday morning.

"This is very disturbing and serious," the statement said. "Obviously it’s a deeply difficult and personal matter."

A few hours later, Athans release a statement through his attorney saying he's sorry and emphasizing his cooperation with authorities.

"No words can fully express how sorry I am," the statement said. "At the time this incident occurred, I took responsibility for my actions and fully cooperated with law enforcement."

Stabenow and Athans have been married for about five years. Stabenow is in Washington and canceled a public appearance that had been scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Athans is co-founder of the liberal TalkUSA Radio network.