KANNAPOLIS, N.C. -- Former state legislator Coy C. Privette, a Cabarrus County commissioner and retired Baptist minister, was charged Thursday with aiding and abetting prostitution, authorities said.

Privette, 74, was charged with six counts of misdemeanor aiding and abetting prostitution by renting a hotel room and paying for sexual acts, according to State Bureau of Investigation Agent Kevin Canty. Tiffany Denise Summers, 32, of Salisbury, was charged with six counts of misdemeanor prostitution, Canty said.

Privette was arrested at his Kannapolis home at about 7:40 a.m. Thursday by agents with the State Bureau of Investigation, said Department of Justice spokeswoman Noelle Talley.

The SBI was asked to investigate the case last month by Rowan County District Attorney Bill Kenerly, Talley said. Kenerly was not available for comment Thursday because he was on vacation, staff at his office said.

Privette appeared at the Rowan County magistrate's office in Salisbury after his arrest. He was released on a written promise to appear in court Aug. 22.

Privette didn't immediately return an e-mail message or messages left on his home and cell phones Thursday. Eyewitness News spoke with Privette’s wife, who would only say she was shocked by the charges.

Summers, the alleged prostitute, told Eyewitness News what she did in the past is behind her, and she has a new life.

Police said officers were investigating a forged check case, which led them to the prostitution charges. Privette on two occasions allegedly paid the prostitute with checks then reported those checks as stolen, officials said.

The Kannapolis Police Department and the SBI continue to investigate the case.

Privette also serves as the president of the Christian Action League of North Carolina, which advocates in the General Assembly for Christian groups, and he’s a member of the Cabarrus Baptist Association. Privette has been one of the state's most vocal opponents against alcohol sales and legal gambling.

The director of missions for the Cabarrus Baptist Association, Randy Wadford, spoke to Eyewitness News about the arrest.

“I have never seen evidence of this kind of behavior from Coy before. I will have to see charges proven before I'm going to believe it. He's innocent until proven guilty," he said.

Privette has been a member of the county Board of Commissioners since 1998 and was a member of the state House from 1984 to 1992.