RSSSpitzers Political Downfall Due to Money Transfers and Potential Bribes … Not Sex and Prostitution
Its much more than just about the sex police.
For those whining that the FBI should be doing things with tax payer money other than looking into people’s sex lives … um, they are. Believe it or not, there were a few people who actually were making excuses and walking a thin line of not so much defending Eliot Spitzer’s link to a prostitution ring, but questioning why the FBI was looking into sex. However, this is one of the rare times where the Left and Right agree … Ho No … Spitzer Must Go.
The answer is that where there is prostitution, there are other illegal activities including money laundering, bribery and corruption. According to the FBI, they were not looking into Spitzer’s sex life, they were following the trail of suspicious money transfers initially leading agents to believe Spitzer was hiding bribes. Thus leading to Eliot Spitzer, George Fox and Client 9 busted. How could a former prosecutor, now governor be so ignorant and arrogant to expose himself to potential blackmail?
The federal investigation of a New York prostitution ring was triggered by Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s suspicious money transfers, initially leading agents to believe Spitzer was hiding bribes, according to federal officials.
It was only months later that the IRS and the FBI determined that Spitzer wasn’t hiding bribes but payments to a company called QAT, what prosecutors say is a prostitution operation operating under the name of the Emperors Club. (ABC News)
An Alleged Evening with Client Nine, A Look at the Mann Act
SPITZER HAS USED HOOKERS FOR 6 YEARS: SOURCES
Well, getting caught in such an act as soon to be ex-Governor of NY, Eliot Spitzer, one usually has to apply the cockroach theory. For ever cockroach one finds crawling across the floor, how many do we never see in the wall. The same appears to be true, according to the NY Post source with Eliot Spitzer and frequenting hookers.
Source: Eliot Spitzer met with call girls 7 or 8 times
The liaisons between Spitzer and a number of different prostitutes occurred around the country, including in Washington, D.C., and Florida, the sources said. For each encounter, Spitzer paid several thousand dollars, the sources said.
The Associated Press reported that investigators said Spitzer was a repeat customer of a high-priced call-girl service, spending perhaps as much as $80,000 over an extended period of time.
Posted March 11, 2008 by Scared Monkeys Bizarre, Corruption, Crime, Government, Politics, WTF | 28 comments |
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28 Responses to “Spitzers Political Downfall Due to Money Transfers and Potential Bribes … Not Sex and Prostitution”
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The story is misleading. The investigation was triggered due to the transfers, but no bribes were found. In the end, the story is about sex and his reaction to getting his hand slapped in the cookie jar.
Unless I have missed the updates, there are no “other illegal activities including money laundering, bribery and corruption”. PERHAPS there is a correlation there if you are the “providor” of prositution services, but he was a customer.
From the “Martha Stewart” playbook, this guy will go down because of what he did to cover up his own indescretions more than for his activities that he tried to cover up.
WTF?!?!?!?
He’ll go down for what he DID do
AND
The INVESTIGATION will continue.
.
Martha Stewart?
My Ass!
.
The man’s a double dipper…
He dips from the TOP!
and the bottom…
DEEP in the bottom.
You Watch…
.
Boycott Aruba!
Let’s not forget this man violated the very law at which he has steadfast prosecuted others for.
He is a hypocrite. How can you enforce a law that you so freely broke?
Oh yeah, I forgot. The laws are only for the little people, huh.
I hate to see him go down for something as stupid as this. What he is guilty of …is being stupid. There has been Clinton, Kennedy, Johnson to name a few, known to have daliances with women outside of their marital bedrooms….
If Silda is OK with it, then so am I. I say let the guy get back to work.
Isn’t the main issue that he broke the law?
Or doesn’t that matter anymore?
Or is the real point … ‘Hey, I’m in power; I don’t have to obey the law. That’s for little people.’
On another thread I took the liberty of quoting from King Lear. Here are four more quotes, all directly relevant. Who says Shakespeare is passe?
A man may see how this world goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond justice rails upon yon simple thief. Hark, in thine ear: change places; and, handy-dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief?
There thou mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog’s obeyed in office.
Through tatter’d clothes small vices do appear;
Robes and furr’d gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold,
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks;
Arm it in rags, a pigmy’s straw does pierce it.
Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand!
Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back;
Thou hotly lusts to use her in that kind
For which thou whipp’st her.
Why is it that when it’s a democrat it’s “just sex” but when it’s a republican it’s “unfit for office”. I didn’t see anyone making excuses for Senator Larry in the bathroom with the moving feet.
The comments here are what worry me about our nation, some seem to see law breaking as “just sex” and somehow excusable. Clinton should have been thrown out of office not for “just sex” but for endangering the nation, sexual harassment, lying and the many other crimes he committed in office. Because he wasn’t doesn’t mean everyone else (who is a democrat) gets a free pass.
Using a prostitute is illegal besides being immoral. We can’t legislate morality but we can legislate upholding the law.
It’s the same will illegal aliens – those for it say they’ve committed no crime. They have committed a crime – coming into (or staying in) our nation illegally.
Why on earth do people want to take a pass on which laws we uphold. If you don’t think there should be a law then work to change it; but in the mean time, if one has to obey the law all do – even if the democrat politicians.
Our society has an excuse for everything. Unless you are one of the little people.
Check out your local papers and see how many men are busted for soliciting in your own cities.
I don’t hear the do gooders crying about that.
#6
…did you know
• In New York City, it’s illegal to throw swill into the street.
• Automobiles are not to pass horse drawn carriages on the street. (NJ)
• It is illegal to delay or detain a homing pigeon. (NJ)
You are citing to many laws and issues from moral to illegal aliens which hence confuse the situation.
IMO laws become obsolete and outdated, and though not legally changed, the fact of the matter is they just don’t carry the same weight and importance as others do. Many laws when broken harm other people…then there are those that do not. There are guidlines to follow when deciding what was a murderers true intention, but many crimes do not. I have not heard of prostitution in the third degree.
This is not a democratic/republican “thing”, nor do Spitzers actions IMO threaten national security. So lets try the real criminals and change the laws that no longer make sense.
is there a pic of Kristen??????
oops…..just realized I was #9
One aspect of this debacle that should not be overlooked is the element of power. Wasn’t it Henry Kissinger who said power is the greatest aphrodisiac? There is something inherently primal, even instinctual, about alpha males asserting and maintaining their top positions through the use/misuse of authority.
AP put out this update about 20 minutes ago … it’s clear that Spitzer was a “repeat client.”
Spitzer may have spent tens of thousands
Associated Press
ALBANY, N.Y. – With pressure mounting on Gov. Eliot Spitzer to resign over a call-girl scandal, investigators said Tuesday he was clearly a repeat customer who spent tens of thousands of dollars — perhaps as much as $80,000 — with the high-priced prostitution service over an extended period of time.
Spitzer and his family, meanwhile, remained secluded in their Fifth Avenue apartment, while Republicans began talking impeachment, and few if any fellow Democrats came forward to defend him. A death watch of sorts began at the state Capitol, where whispers of “What have you heard?” echoed through nearly every hallway of the ornate, 109-year-old building.
On Monday, when the scandal broke, prosecutors said in court papers that Spitzer had been caught on a wiretap spending $4,300 with the Emperors Club VIP call-girl service, with some of the money going toward a night with a prostitute named Kristen, and the rest as credit toward future trysts. The papers also suggested that Spitzer had done this before.
Speaking of condition of anonymity, a law enforcement official said Tuesday that Spitzer, in fact, had spent tens of thousands of dollars with the Emperors Club. Another official said the amount could be as high as $80,000. But it was not clear over what period of time that was spent.
Left unaddressed, so far, is the question of where the money came from. I suppose an audit of New York state funds is in order? Or maybe some campaign money was hanging around?
Not that it matters … people at the ‘top of the heap’ in our society are free to do as they wish.
I also note that there’s talk of impeachment … absolutely NO talk (except here) of what was the ‘morally proper’ thing to do. I guess such archaic notions are best left to the days of Abe Lincoln and other mediocrities. Today it all comes down to … who has the votes?
CAPTION: Government of the people, by the people … FOR the people?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/17683184@N00/141931512
Finally, for now anyway, I found this interesting paragraph on a Web site:
5. What is the relationship between freedom and virtue?
Freedom relies on virtue for its survival. Government protects ordered liberty, but it is virtuous citizens taking personal responsibility for their actions and exercising mutual responsibility for the welfare of others who make ordered liberty possible. As Benjamin Franklin declared, “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.”
I firmly believe that what people do in their bedrooms as consenting adults should be none of anyone’s business.
The government has no business looking into what people do in their bedrooms.
Why is sex so important that it could take down a politician?
Why is it ok to show on TV movies with blood and guts, to show injured and bloodied soldiers as well as stupid car chases where the police have to shoot the suspect. All of this stuff is acceptable for TV to broadcast.
But sex is totally off limits. Sex is natural, war is not.
How did you get born? It happened because two people had sex.
All of the people living in the world today are here because of sex.
So tell me why sex is taboo and war is ok?
That stuff is going on in Washington too. Nothing but the best prostitutes for men in government.
The old perverted freaks.
#16 and #8: If you don’t like the laws or feel they are unfair, do something to change them. In the mean time you can’t pick and choose which you or some politician will obey.
Not hurting anyone? What about his wife and his daughters? What about the possible diseases he exposes his wife to. Or are high priced prostitutes okay but not the cheap ones? Not endangering national security? What about blackmail. Besides, if we say Spitzer can break one law that you don’t like, why not a couple of others too.
Defense to breaking a law is not that it didn’t hurt anyone. Well jay-walking doesn’t hurt anyone either. Nor does not paying the parking meter. There are lots of laws that it could be argued “don’t hurt anyone”.
I’m truly aghast that anyone can defend breaking the law and getting away with it. I’m further aghast that people think that politicians paying prostitutes or having sex with Interns is “just about sex” and therefore should be private.
Spitzer was slated for “political superstardom” less than a year ago, which sent shivers down the spines of thoughtful citizens. Born with a diamond-encrusted spoon in his mouth (his father has over $500 Million), he was raised from birth to be the “first Jewish President of the United States.” I suppose that peculiar burden had something to do with his many personality and character defects. At any rate, he’s distinguished himself throughout his political career as a mean, arrogant, pushy, profane, self-serving, sanctimonious son-of-a-bitch, who would at the drop of a hat prosecute both innocent and guilty alike in the interest of good political theater. This guy was BAD NEWS from day one, eagerly abusing the powers of his various public offices over the years to pursue personal vendettas and to feed his megalomania. It truly warms my soul to see this piece of human garbage torn down from the pedestal he built for himself out of blind ambition and injustice. It is strange, though. The man should be serving multiple lifetimes in prison for all the evil he’s wrought over his political career, yet his fall was precipitated by something so simple, so MUNDANE. In fact, a more likable person would probably have survived. Bill Clinton is living proof of that.
If Spitzer decides not to step down, I’m guessing it’s going to be on the grounds that his ‘only’ crime was that he paid for sex which is a misdemeanor and not an impeachable offense, legally speaking. Money laundering is another matter and if Spitzer doesn’t resign it’s as good as him saying “prove it”. This is going to be pretty interesting.
Spitzer proved himself to be a dishonest and self centered person but I have to admit that there’s something very suspicious and shady about the way his personal bank account was being monitored. Ya think the bank reports ALL their wealthy customers to the IRS for ‘suspicious activity’ every time they move $3,000 from their account over an extended period of time? I think not. It seems to me the only suspicious activity going on was between a bank employee and a Spitzer enemy.
Actually, Spitzer could be charged with at least 2 Federal felonies:
1) Violation of the Mann Act, and
2) Conspiracy to violate the Mann Act
As for someone at his bank reporting his activities versus possibly other clients’, neither he nor anyone enjoys the right to have his criminal activity overlooked. Was someone at his bank paying special attention to Mr. Spitzer’s questionable activities? Perhaps. Perhaps, too, Spitzer should have refrained from maliciously prosecuting innocent people in the banking industry. They then might not have been so well motivated to be especially vigilant in his case. The Wheel of Karma turns once more.
#16.
Most politicians are elected on the image that they portray of themselves. That image usually consists of Good husband, father, family man. That’s why they always have their wives standing adoringly next to them and their children. If they had their favorite prostitutes, or mistresses by their side we probably wouldn’t vote for them in the first place. They are public figures who are open to public scrutiny.
He looks like the kinda guy
you’d meet in a bar…
on any given night.
.
Perv!
Oh…
By the Way,
Richard:
I love your comment…
.
#21 Steven…
Even if the Mann law could be used, it won’t. It’s a law that has a lot of baggage attached to it. It’s the politician’s blackmail law and if it’s used, within a minute, all attention will be focused on analyzing the law AND the politicians that pushed it and everyone will forget about Spitzer and his prostitutes.
Banks, like doctors, lawyers and accountants have a fiduciary duty to their clients. Banks are in a position of trust and they have a duty of confidentiality. I obviously don’t know what the bank did but if Spitzer did something illegal it wouldn’t justify the bank doing something illegal in order to catch him. If it turns out that the bank did in fact violate their fiduciary duty by calling in the IRS without reasonable cause, Spitzer couldn’t be prosecuted under the Mann law or any law because the evidence would be thrown out of court…I think.lol.
I’m in full agreement with Louise Vargas #16 when it comes to what politicians are doing in the bedroom. I think that’s a very private matter between husband and wife only. Spitzer’s case is different, though. He didn’t just have an affair. He broke the law in a big way and I think he needs to step down because of it (and I think he will).
Appears not the first time Spitzer has broken the law. He used state troopers to find dirt on his opponent. He had his father finance his campaign which is against the law. Now he’s using his office to barter a better position for himself.
For those who are suspicious about his bank account being monitored: Spitzer had been using prostitutes for some 6 to 10 years. His account was being monitored because they saw all this money movement and were concerned that he was being blackmailed according to news stories. When you’ve spent more than $80,000 in prostitutes, the payments would look “funny”.
Kat
My understanding i,s that as of right now, they’re estimating that Spitzer spent 80,000 or less over a four year period. That amounts to $20,000 or less per year. If you’re talking $80,000 over a 6 to 10 year period, then that’s only $8,000 (or less)to $13,000 (or less) per year. Regardless as to which amount is closer to the truth, none of the amounts above look high enough to be deemed suspicious considering Spitzer’s a millionaire and the son of a multi-millionaire.
Now, if we were talking the same numbers moving through MY bank account, there’d be just cause for my bank to be suspicious.
Lotte Lenya:
Federal law requires banks as a matter of course to report certain transactions of $10,000.00 or more to Federal authorities. The purpose is to discourage tax evasion, and more recently to discourage the financing of terrorist organizations. The law also requires banks to report multiple transactions of lesser amounts when it could possibly be surmised that the transactions were designed to avoid exceeding the reporting threshold. Spitzer’s transactions certainly qualify, and no one has a duty to maintain client confidentiality in the face of Government disclosure requirements. The investigation that led to Spitzer’s criminal activity was perfectly legitimate, and all evidence gathered therefrom is admissable in court proceedings against him.
As for the Mann Act, it’s a perfectly fine Federal criminal statute, and it’s perfectly appropriate to prosecute Spitzer for violating it. The law was designed to establish a Federal nexus via the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution to allow Federal prosecution of prostitution rings because law local jurisdictions oftentimes failed to prosecute such cases because of the complicity of local officials. This is EXACTLY Spitzer’s situation. He certainly wasn’t going to prosecute the Emperor’s Club, was he? No, they were afforded Spitzer’s personal PROTECTION against prosecution. These are the things criminal conspiracies are made of.
Finally, as regarding the $80,000.00 Spitzer supposedly spent on whores, this is only the tip of the iceberg. The figure represents only Spitzer’s verified wire transfers from one bank account, to one prostitution ring, over the period for which banks retain transaction records, generally no more than 2 to 3 years. What about before then? What about his other bank accounts? What about payments to other prositution rings? What about payments he made in CASH? Over the past 10 years this man spent over $1 Million on whores if he spent a single dollar. I’m sure of it. $80,000.00 is just the figure investigators can right now PROVE he spent.