Rep says he's 'fallen short' after video surfaces reportedly showing him kissing aide

Rep. Vince McAllister, R-La., is shown in this official portrait from his congressional website. (McAllister.house.gov)

A married Louisiana congressman acknowledged Monday that he's "fallen short," after a local newspaper posted video purportedly showing him kissing a staffer.

The Ouachita Citizen earlier Monday posted surveillance footage that it claimed showed Republican Rep. Vance McAllister kissing an aide two days before Christmas, inside his congressional office in Monroe, La.

McAllister released a written statement Monday afternoon in response to the video and allegations.

"There's no doubt I've fallen short and I'm asking for forgiveness. I'm asking for forgiveness from God, my wife, my kids, my staff, and my constituents who elected me to serve," he said. "Trust is something I know has to be earned whether your a husband, a father, or a congressman. I promise to do everything I can to earn back the trust of everyone I've disappointed."

He continued: "I don't want to make a political statement on this, I would just simply like to say that I'm very sorry for what I've done. While I realize I serve the public, I would appreciate the privacy given to my children as we get through this."

McAllister is a freshman congressman who won in an upset last November to succeed former Rep. Rodney Alexander. McAllister, who's been married for 16 years, ran as a Christian conservative.

The surveillance footage posted by The Ouachita Citizen showed two people appearing to embrace and kiss in an office.

The newspaper reported that the video, obtained from "an anonymous source," showed the 40-year-old congressman kissing a 33-year-old aide.