Ashley Dupre's dad stands by his girl

The day after federal authorities busted the high-end hooker ring that ended disgraced former New York governor Eliot Spitzer's political career, the brunette callgirl telephoned her dad in tears to say she was in trouble.

"I was worried for her," William Youmans, father of Ashley Dupre, told the New York Post yesterday.

But during the call Dupre still remained silent about her other life as $4300-an-hour callgirl "Kristen".

"Everyone makes mistakes, and this was a very large mistake," Mr Youmans, a stonemason, said. "I love her tremendously and support her, but I am just in so much shock right now."

Mr Youmans said Dupre lived with him down on the Outer Banks of North Carolina from the age of 17, after she left her mother and stepfather's home in New Jersey, in 2002. But she never adjusted to life in the south.

So after a little less than a year, she moved up to the Big Apple to pursue her dream of becoming a singing star - changing her name from Ashley Youmans to Ashley Alexandra Dupre.

She quickly fell into a fast-paced life of hard partying, expensive tastes and rich men and worked as a cocktail waitress, earning $600-800 a night.

Few who knew her realised she was living a double life until her encounter with Eliot Spitzer came to light.

Dupre is not the only one in her family getting some unwanted publicity. Her brother Kyle Youmans pleaded guilty last week to possession of heroin with intent to distribute and will be sentenced next month.

Via news.com.au