Husband of Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow Caught in Sex Sting

The husband of Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., told police he paid a prostitute $150 for sex in February.

Troy, Mich., police were investigating an Internet-based prostitution ring when they stopped Stabenow's husband, Thomas Athans, whom police believed had just met a prostitute at a hotel and paid to have sex with her, according to The Detroit News. Athans admitted to paying the 20-year-old woman to perform oral sex on him.

Athans was not arrested, but agreed to cooperate with the investigation, the paper reported, citing police documents.

"This is very disturbing and serious. Obviously, it's a deeply difficult and personal matter," Stabenow said, according to a statement from her office.

Troy police Lt. Gerry Scherlinck would not confirm that Athans was working with police, telling FOX News his agency does not release names of investigation witnesses — which Athans would be if he were cooperating with the probe.

Scherlinck confirmed, however, that department detectives did go to a Residence Inn to investigate unusual activity on Feb. 26, and stopped a man coming out who agreed to testify in court.

Athans also is co-founder and former CEO of the liberal Democracy Radio.

Click here to read the Detroit News report.

FOX News' Mike Majchrowitz contributed to this report.