D.C.: Home to politicos, diplomats … and cheaters?

Newt Gingrich Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich's infidelities are well-known. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Nigeria Clinton Former U.S. President Bill Clinton. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
Newt Gingrich Republican presidential candidate and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
John Edwards Former presidential candidate John Edwards. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
Former U.S. Sen. John Ensign. (AP)
Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. (AP)
Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer. (AP)
Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. (AP)
Tiger Woods Pro golfer Tiger Woods. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
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Neal Augenstein, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – D.C. is the best city in the country for people looking to cheat in their relationships, according to a website that facilitates adultery.

More people per capita in the D.C. metropolitan area sign up for the website Ashley Madison than in any other city, according to the site, which helps people looking to stray. Washington has the highest per capita membership among the site’s 13 million users, The Washington Post reports.

The chief executive officer of the company tells the Post he believes people who live and work in the District achieve success from taking professional risks, which often pay off, and the personality trait prompts personal risks, too.

(See a gallery featuring a few famous Washington cheaters — and some from elsewhere — to the right)

“The more successful you are, the more prone to cheating you are, and Washington is full of successful people looking for something outside their marriage,” CEO Noel Biderman tells the Post.

The site claims 38,000 registered users in the District.

People with whom WTOP has spoken aren’t surprised with the distinction.

“It’s about representing one thing but yet doing something else,” says one woman, who believes cheaters aren’t really committed to their marriages and families.

“Most are probably just looking for a thrill, in most cases — they’re just bored with their relationship,” says a man who says he’s not a cheater.

Some say they’re not necessarily shocked by the amount of infidelity in the nation’s capital, or anywhere.

“Humans aren’t really meant to be monogamous,” says one man.

What motivates a cheater? Is it the thrill of not getting caught? Is it boredom? How does success factor in? Post a comment in this story or comment on WTOP’s Facebook Page

Follow Neal and WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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