Nation IN BRIEF : LOUISIANA : Swaggart to Step Down, Aide Says

Jimmy Swaggart is stepping down from the leadership role in his ministry following allegations he picked up a prostitute, an official in Swaggart’s organization said. J.R. Heisch, administrator of the Family Christian Academy, which is operated by Swaggart’s Baton Rouge, La., church, said the evangelist’s son, Donnie Swaggart, will assume leadership of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries “until Brother Swaggart gets back on his feet.” Swaggart, 56, will step down at least temporarily, he said. Rosemary Garcia, 31, of Indio, Calif., said she was with Swaggart when he was cited for traffic violations there. Garcia said afterward that she is a prostitute.