NY Gov., you're BUSTED!

[Steve]

The former attorney general of NY, while in office ran a huge, mostly PR, campaign, against all forms of corruption. He ran on the same theme and got elected as Governor. Now he's been busted for "being involved in" a prositution ring. (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/10/spitzer/index.html) :rolleyes:

What's with holier-than-thou public officials telling us how to live while doing something completely different? :confused:

I don't know if he's a Dem or Rep, but he'll probably get reelected next time he runs. :shrug:

[TwoDogs]

DOWN IN FLAMES!!!! Career OVER!!! He is a Democrat... but that doesn't matter. He's just another sleazy politician, who says one thing and does another.

PS: Hey Gov!!! I hope that piece of A@# was worth it!! :flipoff:

[MountainJeep]

Dang Steve, at least I have an excuse for layin on the couch watching CNN.

Don't you have work to do?


:P :flipoff2:

Oh an I hope that 9News gets their FOIA request for the list of names on that Prostitution ring that was busted here in Denver!

[Steve]

Dang Steve, at least I have an excuse for layin on the couch watching CNN.

Don't you have work to do?


:P :flipoff2:

I have LOTSO work in my garage, but it's a mile from the office. :D

[RWPOTTER]

Now he can join Jerry Springer who used to be the Cincinnati Mayor until he wrote a personal check to a prostitute.:tisk:

[Gags]

Ha, often the people who are most vocal about such issues are the ones doing the very thing they are condeming. It's almost human nature to have this duality. The highest rate of infidelity and divorce is found amongst evangelical christians...Go figure.

[JKTODD]

Ted Haggard anyone?
:spit:

[scottycards]

Look no further than Judge Nottingham (http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=118007&highlight=nottingham) here in Denver.

This is the same guy who said to Nacchio:
"If it is perceived that there is one law for the rich and one law for
everyone else, the law ultimately falls into disrespect."

Hookers at a loft downtown rented in your son's name, Judge "Naughty"?

It's gotten to the point that whenever I see someone on their high horse, I almost assume that they're hiding some secret.

Ah, yes. Shakespeare......The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
William Shakespeare- Hamlet.

High powered "moral" people getting busted with their wieners out cracks me up, no matter the circumstances.........:D :D :D :D

[Gags]

Look no further than Judge Nottingham (http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=118007&highlight=nottingham) here in Denver.

This is the same guy who said to Nacchio:
"If it is perceived that there is one law for the rich and one law for
everyone else, the law ultimately falls into disrespect."

Hookers at a loft downtown rented in your son's name, Judge "Naughty"?

It's gotten to the point that whenever I see someone on their high horse, I almost assume that they're hiding some secret.

Ah, yes. Shakespeare......The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
William Shakespeare- Hamlet.

High powered "moral" people getting busted with their wieners out cracks me up, no matter the circumstances.........:D :D :D :D

I love it everytime. No kidding though, high horse fire and brimstone = hypocrite = liar

[Dave McDonald]

...stepping up to the pulpit...

There is a problem in the land brothers, and it's a cancer that must cut out. If your left hand causes you to sin, cut it off to save your body from eternal damnation. If your right hand then cuases you to sin, have a friend cut it off also so you can rest in the hearafter with your lord rather than in the helfire of the damned.

What is this problem? What is this sickness that's eating the world from the inside making it a hollow shell of the virtuous garden that God designed it to be? Procrastination, my friend, That's the bane of the righteous! Putting off until tomorrow what today can save your soul! There's a simple way to beat this sin, to cast back the demon of procrastination! I'll make sure to look it up and let you know what it is next week, I didn't get around to it before the service. Ushers - pass the collection plates, and remember, God can see the denomination of your bills.

[Trango]

If I learned anything from Family Planning Classes as part of the Catholic preparation for marriage, it's that all of this immorality is due to the prevalence of chemical and physical contraception.

I keed! I keed!

Come on. If Marion Barry can find redemption, this affable Spitzer fellow should be fine... say, if he finds god or Scientology or has a bandaid baby or whatever it is that gives you a second chance.

[TheCopperCowboy]

Hopefully, he didn't use a "wide stance". :D

[summersja]

The highest rate of infidelity and divorce is found amongst evangelical christians...Go figure.


It doesn't take long for you to go from political condemnation to Christian bashing again, does it, Gags? :shrug: You must really hate Christians. I personally have known HUNDREDS of good Christian couples over my life that and are happily married for decades (including myself). Show some proof for your allegations 'cause I haven't seen it.

[DaJudge]

http://c.msn.com/c.gif?NC=1255&NA=1154&PS=73838&PI=7329&DI=305&TP=http%3a%2f%2fmsnbc.msn.com%2f
MSNBC.com

Governor apologizes after prostitution link

Spitzer doesn?t directly cite allegation first reported by New York Times
NBC, MSNBC and news services
updated 5:27 p.m. MT, Mon., March. 10, 2008

NEW YORK - Gov. Eliot Spitzer?s political career teetered on the brink of
collapse Monday after the corruption-fighting politician once known as ?Mr.
Clean? was accused of paying for sex with a high-priced call girl.

The scandal drew immediate calls for the Democrat to step down. At a
news conference before about 100 reporters, a glassy-eyed Spitzer, his
wife at his side, apologized to his family and the people of New York.

But he gave no details of what he was sorry for, did not discuss his political
future and ignored shouted questions about whether he would resign.

?I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of
myself,? said the 48-year-old father of three teenage girls. ?I must now
dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family.?

The New York Times was first to break the story, reporting that Spitzer was
caught on a federal wiretap arranging Feb. 13 to meet at a Washington
hotel room with a prostitute from a call-girl business known as the Emperors
Club VIP.

Law enforcement officials told NBC News that Spitzer was identified as
Client 9 in the records. Spitzer was in Washington on Feb. 13 to meet with
congressional officials.

Spitzer not charged

Last week, federal prosecutors in Manhattan filed conspiracy charges
against four people, accusing them of running the prostitution ring.
Prosecutors said the defendants arranged connections between wealthy
men and more than 50 prostitutes in New York, Washington, Los Angeles,
Miami, London and Paris.

Spitzer has not been charged, and prosecutors did not comment on the
case. The four defendants were charged with violating the federal Mann
Act, a 1910 law that outlaws traveling across state lines for prostitution.
Spitzer learned that he had been implicated when a federal official
contacted his staff Friday, a person briefed on the case told The New York
Times.

Spitzer called the issue ?a private matter? in his comments Monday. He
gave no details but said his conduct ?violates my, or any, sense of right
and wrong.? * * * *

2?-hour meeting with prostitute alleged

In an affidavit obtained by NBC News, the FBI said a prostitute named
Kristen was sent to Room 871 in an unidentified hotel where Client 9 was
staying.

Client 9 asked to be reminded of what Kristen looked like and was told that
she was an ?American, petite, very pretty brunette, five feet five inches,
and 105 pounds.?

The meeting apparently lasted from 9:36 p.m. ET, when Kristen arrived,
until 12:02 a.m.

Kristen collected $4,300 from Client 9, according to the FBI affidavit. She
said that the appointment went ?very well? and that ?she liked him and did
not think he was difficult.?

The agent said she had been told the client ?would ask you to do things
that ... you might not think were safe ... very basic things,? according to
the papers, but that Kristen responded by saying, ?I have a way of dealing
with that ... I?d be, like, listen dude, you really want the sex??

When discussing how the payments would be arranged, Client 9 told the
agent: ?Yup, same as in the past, no question about it? ? suggesting Client
9 had done this before.

The Web site of the Emperors Club VIP displays photographs of scantily clad
women with their faces hidden, along with hourly rates depending on
whether the prostitutes were rated with one diamond, the lowest ranking,
or seven diamonds, the highest. The most highly ranked prostitutes cost
$5,500 an hour, prosecutors said.

The case is being handled by prosecutors in the public corruption unit of
U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia?s office. A spokeswoman for Garcia said the
office had no comment.

Spitzer built his political legacy on rooting out corruption, including several
headline-making battles with Wall Street while serving as state attorney
general. He stormed into the governor?s office in 2006 with a historic share
of the vote, vowing to continue his no-nonsense approach to fixing one of
the nation's worst governments.

Time magazine had named him ?Crusader of the Year? when he was
attorney general, and the tabloids proclaimed him ?Eliot Ness.?

His cases as attorney general included criminal prosecutions of prostitution
rings and tourism involving prostitutes. In 2004, he was part of an
investigation of an escort service in New York City that resulted in the
arrests of 18 people on charges of promoting prostitution and related
charges.

MSNBC?s Dan Abrams, a lawyer who is NBC News? legal affairs
correspondent, said that even if he were involved in the prostitution ring,
Spitzer might escape prosecution because, in general, cases are rarely
brought against customers of prostitutes.

But political analysts of both parties said Spitzer?s carefully constructed
reputation as a moralizing crime fighter would make it difficult for him to
remain in office or in politics.

His term as governor has been marred by problems, including an unpopular
plan to grant driver?s licenses to illegal immigrants and a plot by his aides to
smear Spitzer?s main Republican nemesis.

Spitzer had been expected to testify to the state Public Integrity
Commission he had created to answer for his role in the scandal in which his
aides were accused of misusing state police to compile travel records to
embarrass Senate Republican leader Joseph Bruno.

Bruno wouldn?t comment Monday when asked what Spitzer should do. ?I feel
very badly for the governor?s wife, for his children,? Bruno said. ?The
important thing for the people of New York state is that people in office do
the right thing.?

Robert Windrem of NBC News, Jonathan Dienst of NBC affiliate WNBC in New
York and The Associated Press contributed to this report
? 2008 MSNBC.com

[Cresso]

$5,500 an hour? :eek: Good thing I'd only need three minutes.

[TheCopperCowboy]

$5,500 an hour? :eek: Good thing I'd only need three minutes.

Still would cost you $275. :eek:

[IronMonkey]

It simply proves yet again that

1. Everything everyone does is ultimately to get laid

2. Self-sabotage is an element of human success

3. It was his duty to service that booty

[denverd0n]

What I still haven't quite figured out from all the stories is, was he just a customer, or was he somehow involved in operation of the business? Some of the comments make it sound like the latter, though most make it seem like he was just a customer.

Since my company was one of the targets of his "ethics" investigations, I have to say that I'm getting a good laugh out of this!

[Steve]

What I still haven't quite figured out from all the stories is, was he just a customer, or was he somehow involved in operation of the business? Some of the comments make it sound like the latter, though most make it seem like he was just a customer.

From a story I caught before leaving the house this morning he was a customer. The big problem is that he knowingly arranged for her to cross state lines, which makes it a federal crime, not state. He's toast.

[sames]

I wonder how he spends 5k without the wife knowing. NY gov's salary is 179k. after taxes, especially in that state you would think his wife would see 5k missing. I know mine would.

[DaJudge]

Classic case of 'stepping on your foreskin' (except he's Jewish and doesn't have one.)

[Trango]

It simply proves yet again that

1. Everything everyone does is ultimately to get laid

2. Self-sabotage is an element of human success

3. It was his duty to service that booty

Winnar! :D

[Gags]

It doesn't take long for you to go from political condemnation to Christian bashing again, does it, Gags? :shrug: You must really hate Christians. I personally have known HUNDREDS of good Christian couples over my life that and are happily married for decades (including myself). Show some proof for your allegations 'cause I haven't seen it.

No, it's for the irony factor. I heard the fact on a show and checked it out. How the hell am I bashing people with that?

I just checked again and found page after page to support the claim...

[Dave McDonald]

You can't prosecute a bunch of people without getting to know a few of them. He was just catching up on old times...

[Gags]

Look, it's clear you love irony. Just admit it!

BTW, no love for the Kurtz-esque quote?

What do you mean? "The Heart of Darkness" is one of my all time favorite reads.

[gijohn40]

he will probably come out and say he was working undercover to bust the operation and was just trying to find out the big bosses name so he could bust the bigger boss.... happens all the time...

My exwife went to school with a girl that became a prostitue and she got busted doing the mayor and she went to jail while he just went home....

[Trango]

What do you mean? "The Heart of Darkness" is one of my all time favorite reads.

Oh solly, wrong thread. Dude I'm crossing schwartzes with myself this morning - it's like I'm paying more attention to the job than surfing or something. :idea: ;)

[supremebeholder]

No, it's for the irony factor. I heard the fact on a show and checked it out. How the hell am I bashing people with that?

I just checked again and found page after page to support the claim...

Find a study not done by Barna that supports it.

[Gags]

Find a study not done by Barna that supports it.

I really don't want to turn this into what I'm feeling it might become. I almost regret mentioning it for the irony factor because as soon as I did it I become a "christain hater"...Or perhaps that's just how people look at it if they feel as if there beliefs are being questioned. Very sensitive topic but the reason seemingly escapes me.

[scottycards]

Gags-
People have a hard time when they find out that persons or establishments they have come to trust are not as pure as they might think.

So the messenger tends to get shot, out of denial. Somehow that makes disillusioned individuals feel better.

Boners cross socio-economic lines. Pure and simple. Priests get boners, politicians get boners, pretty much everyone gets boners. I don't understand why people place such taboos on boners.

[IronMonkey]

More info than you can shake a pink poodle at, plus pics from the Emperor's Club ladies.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/10/emperors-club-all-about-_n_90768.html

[supremebeholder]

I took issue with the statement so I must be a pissed off Christian in denial. How exactly did you come to this conclusion?

Unlike those in the Barna study who conveniently labeled themselves Christians, I do not.

[Dave McDonald]

Ha, often the people who are most vocal about such issues are the ones doing the very thing they are condeming. It's almost human nature to have this duality. The highest rate of infidelity and divorce is found amongst evangelical christians...Go figure.

That's strange. I always heard the highest rate of infedelity and divorce was found among adulterers and divorcees, regardless of who they worship.

[supremebeholder]

What's with holier-than-thou public officials telling us how to live while doing something completely different? :confused:

It?s safe to assume that a perfect individual does not exist today. We are all humans. We all make mistakes, or sin, if you prefer. Therefore, no one can possibly be the one that runs the country and makes the laws without being a hypocrite to some extent.

So we have two options, have hypocrites and running our country, or we have no one doing the job. I mean, someone?s got to keep society from descending into anarchy, to make, interpret, and enforce the laws that society deems necessary, and those someone?s are people too, people with their own flaws and problems. Yeah, there?s lots of people out there who don?t partake of the hookers, and so they might be better suited to run the state, but is there anyone out there who hasn?t broken some law, even the speed limit, in the past?

This just doesn?t surprise or alarm me. Yeah, I think it is interesting that the guy got his comeuppance, but aside from a small smile at how the situation played out, I don?t get any satisfaction from it, or a sense of pleasure like some people seem some have.

[Gags]

I took issue with the statement so I must be a pissed off Christian in denial. How exactly did you come to this conclusion?

Unlike those in the Barna study who conveniently labeled themselves Christians, I do not.

But why take issue? It's not a comment on you. Would it make any difference if it were 100% accurate? I mean I'm a huge Chritstopher Hitchens fan but...If the info I read is accurate then it's just an irony. People are people. I don't excpect too much out of them because they will always dissappoint.

[Gags]

That's strange. I always heard the highest rate of infedelity and divorce was found among adulterers and divorcees, regardless of who they worship.

LOL:beer:

[Gags]

I think hookers should be legal anyway.

[Dave McDonald]

I think hookers should be legal anyway.

First, get yourself a website.

Go hire a hooker.

Film it.

You're not participating in prostitution, you're discovering new porn talent.

[scottycards]

I think hookers should be legal anyway.

X2. I don't see anarchy breaking out in Nevada.

Legalize it, tax it, and clean it up. Remove the criminal element, and there's one less sector of the underground tax-free economy we're all paying for.

Same for weed.

/hijack

[Gags]

X2. I don't see anarchy breaking out in Nevada.

Legalize it, tax it, and clean it up. Remove the criminal element, and there's one less sector of the underground tax-free economy we're all paying for.

Same for weed.

/hijack

Hell yeah.

Porn is not a 10 billion dollar industry because people don't like it.

Paid to have sex on film...C'mon we're talking consenting adults. We should be able to have sex with whom ever we please even if there is an exchange of cash. Better than illegal sex slaves...

[DaJudge]

Hell yeah.

Porn is not a 10 billion dollar industry because people don't like it.

Paid to have sex on film...C'mon we're talking consenting adults. We should be able to have sex with whom ever we please even if there is an exchange of cash. Better than illegal sex slaves...
So, you are OK with the Mom of 3 busted in Highlands Ranch yesterday for prostitution? (Page 3b, Denver and The West section, Denver Post. Can't find it online??) Sheri Sims, 39, in the 10000block of Cedaredge Court. A neighbor perhaps? You OK with the clientele she attracted to the neighborhood? You OK with the fact that 2 of her kids, under the age of 18, were in the home when the sting went down? Think they didn't know what was going on?

[scottycards]

So, you are OK with the Mom of 3 busted in Highlands Ranch yesterday for prostitution? (Page 3b, Denver and The West section, Denver Post. Can't find it online??) Sheri Sims, 39, in the 10000block of Cedaredge Court. A neighbor perhaps? You OK with the clientele she attracted to the neighborhood? You OK with the fact that 2 of her kids, under the age of 18, were in the home when the sting went down? Think they didn't know what was going on?

I'm not OK with any of that. I don't want ho's working in my neighborhood. NV has legal brothels, where the activity must occur, the girls are tested regularly, police have access to check for drugs, etc.

The brothels have to abide by zoning laws, cannot be located in residential areas, and there are certainly no children allowed in a brothel. In a lot of cases, women customers (since they can't be a "John", would it be correct to refer to them as a "Jane"?) aren't even allowed on premises- don't want the wifes and girlfriends showing up, do we?

Like I stated, this would take the criminal element out of it, these ho's making 100K/yr tax free would be paying taxes and no longer eligible for food stamps, free healthcare, etc, becaue their income would be tracked and taxed properly.

I mean, this stuff happens. It's the world's oldest profession, and it's not going away. Research has even shown that it reduces the incidence of sex crimes (rape, primarily) where prostitution is legal.

Here is data:
http://www.independent.org/publications/working_papers/article.asp?id=1300

[Gags]

So, you are OK with the Mom of 3 busted in Highlands Ranch yesterday for prostitution? (Page 3b, Denver and The West section, Denver Post. Can't find it online??) Sheri Sims, 39, in the 10000block of Cedaredge Court. A neighbor perhaps? You OK with the clientele she attracted to the neighborhood? You OK with the fact that 2 of her kids, under the age of 18, were in the home when the sting went down? Think they didn't know what was going on?

Are you kidding me? Like we give a sh!t. Yep, OK with it. There are a lot worse things that happen in this Country every minute to people. Of course, most legal prostitution is kept to certain zoned areas. But I don't care one bit.

The clients may be coming from the court house or church or even police...

[Ford Prefect]

The former attorney general of NY, while in office ran a huge, mostly PR, campaign, against all forms of corruption. He ran on the same theme and got elected as Governor. Now he's been busted for "being involved in" a prositution ring. (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/10/spitzer/index.html) :rolleyes:

What's with holier-than-thou public officials telling us how to live while doing something completely different? :confused:

I don't know if he's a Dem or Rep, but he'll probably get reelected next time he runs. :shrug:



Is anyone else thinking Marion Barry here? just curious...

Refresher, M.B. was the mayor of Washington D.C. busted for crack, and a hooker, jailed for six months, and soon as he came out was re-elected for Mayor of D.C.

[Gags]

Is anyone else thinking Marion Barry here? just curious...

Refresher, M.B. was the mayor of Washington D.C. busted for crack, and a hooker, jailed for six months, and soon as he came out was re-elected for Mayor of D.C.

Ha, I was in DC at the time as a tour guide at the Capital.

[DaJudge]

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/03/client_number_nines_troubling.html

March 11, 2008
Client Number Nine's Troubling Number Two

Marc Sheppard
Eliot Spitzer's sordid saga is quickly unfolding into a classic lesson on the perils of
hypocritical self-righteousness. But it also teaches the importance of the often
underrated choice a leader makes in selecting his second in command.

In a year promising many historic political firsts, David Paterson's likely ascendance
would make him New York's first black Governor as well as the nation's first legally
blind one. Unfortunately, his distinctiveness truly transcends these milestones.

The lieutenant governor's unique law enforcement positions are beyond ultra-liberal -
- they're ultra-moronic. As NY senate minority leader, he reacted to the 2000
acquittal of the four cops that shot and killed Amadou Diallo, after mistaking the
African immigrant's wallet for a gun, by proposing state penal code amendments to
limit police use of firearms.

The bill would contain cops to the use of "minimal force," even when responding to
deadly force. Amazingly, it would require an officer to attempt shooting an attacking
suspect in the arm or leg, even when doing so might jeopardize the lives of
themselves or others. Adding to the lunacy of the bill is this:

"Further, the number of times an officer shoots a person should not
exceed the minimal number necessary to stop the person. If one shot
accomplishes the purpose, it is neither necessary [n]or appropriate for
an officer to empty his barrel."
Essentially then, officers could spend up to 15 years in jail for the second-degree
manslaughter charge discharging their weapons in self-defense might bring should a
jury be convinced they didn't "shoot to wound."

Not only does the idea -- which endangers both cops and citizens -- betray a
complete lack of law-enforcement experience, it also clearly demonstrates an
ignorance of firearms approaching irresponsible for a public official.

After all, rule two of the universal laws of gun safety warns "never point the gun at
anything you are not willing to destroy." Any instructor worth his or her salt quickly
instills in students that a muzzle should never be directed at anything you don't want a
hole in, or anyone you are not willing to kill.

You see, outside of TV shows and Hollywood movies, guns make dreadful non-
lethal weapons.

PoliceOne.com (http://www.policeone.com/writers/columnists/ForceScience/articles/127235/) quotes Dr. Bill Lewinski, executive director of the Force Science
Research Center at Minnesota State University-Mankato:

"Senator Paterson does not understand any of the issues of performance psychology
and performance skill. He apparently has been trained by TV to think that officers
have lots of time and are able to do amazing things when they are confronted with
life-threatening dangers.

"In reality, most deadly encounters unfold very rapidly and very dramatically.
Shooting to wound is rarely an option. Given the training most officers have, they are
lucky to put bullets into center mass without trying to hit limbs that can be moved
faster and more radically than larger parts of the body. Paterson's proposal is almost
beyond commentary."

Besides, suppose a cop only wings a bad guy, and the attacker -- surely shooting to
annihilate -- then manages to kill him, his partner or an innocent bystander. Does
Paterson actually believe that the life of a criminal with deadly intent is somehow
more precious than any of these three thoroughly guiltless individuals?

Edward Mullins, president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association rightly
denounced (http://forums.officer.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-43589.html) the bill:

"In light of the [recent] police shootings and terrorism, why in the world
would you create a bill that would actually tie the hands of police
officers? I see lunacy in creating a bill like this."
Why, indeed?

Might there be racial concerns involved? Such overtones were paramount in the
Diallo case reportedly at the heart of this preposterous bill. And Paterson's death-
penalty opposition on the grounds of its "unfair distribution" further suggests a man
crusading against perceived racial injustice. Add the fact that Paterson is facing a
lawsuit claiming he replaced a white staff photographer with a black one in 2003
solely because minority senators wanted "a minority photographer, a black
photographer," and his motives certainly might appear suspect.

Neither state senator nor Lieutenant Governor Paterson has yet managed to pass
this unforgivably inept and questionably inspired legislation.

Should the Governorship allow Paterson to do so, the results promise to be nothing
short of devastating.

And, given that such a na?ve and uniquely unqualified man would never have been
elected to the state's highest post, the fallout would represent yet another truly
disastrous decision.

From the man believed to be client number nine.

[Steve]

Client Number Nine's Troubling Number Two

I believe it was you who typed something in another thread today about getting the government we deserve. This is a prime example of that.

[Swat]

In the balance of things the man has done more good than harm. His family will suffer but who else? This is close to a victimless crime.

It reminds me of the outright waste going after Clinton for getting a Lewinsky.

[TheCopperCowboy]

Let's roll out all the latest and greatest, then. :rolleyes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Vitter

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/David_Vitter_official_portrait.jpg/160px-

[edit] D.C. Madam controversy
In early July 2007, Vitter's phone number was included in a published list of phone records of Pamela Martin and Associates, a company owned and run by Deborah Jeane Palfrey, also known as the "D.C. Madam", which is accused by the U.S. government of being a prostitution service. Hustler magazine identified the phone number and contacted Vitter's office to ask about his connection to Palfrey.[89] The following day, Vitter issued a written statement:

This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible. Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling. Out of respect for my family, I will keep my discussion of the matter there - with God and them. But I certainly offer my deep and sincere apologies to all I have disappointed and let down in any way.[90]

The statement containing Vitter's apology said his telephone number was included in phone records dating from his days as a member of the House of Representatives.[3] Phone records show that Vitter's number was called by Palfrey's service five times, the first on October 12, 1999, and the last on February 27, 2001.[91] Two calls were placed while House roll call votes were in progress.[92]

As background, several news outlets reported that in May 1999, Vitter replaced Congressman Bob Livingston after Livingston resigned due to an adultery scandal.[1][93][43] Vitter said about Livingston's decision to resign, "It's obviously a tremendous loss for the state. I think Livingston's stepping down makes a very powerful argument that Clinton should resign as well and move beyond this mess", referring to the Monica Lewinsky scandal of President Bill Clinton.[94] In 2000, his wife, Wendy Vitter, commenting on the same scandal, said, "I'm a lot more like Lorena Bobbitt than Hillary. If he [Vitter] does something like that, I'm walking away with one thing, and it's not alimony, trust me," referring to the incident of Lorena Bobbitt severing the penis of her husband and to Clinton's wife, Hillary Clinton.[93]

On July 10, 2007, Jeanette Maier, the "Canal Street Madam", alleged that Vitter was a customer on more than one occasion in the 1990s, when Maier was identified by federal prosecutors as operating a $300 per hour brothel.[95] The Times-Picayune reported that "Maier offered no evidence or documents to support her claim."[96] Maier said that Vitter "was not a freak. He was not into anything unusual or kinky or weird," and that he favored one prostitute in particular, Wendy Cortez,[97][98][99][100], the name of the prostitute with whom Vitter had been accused, during his 2004 campaign, of having had a lengthy affair. Vitter denied that allegation during the campaign.[101] On July 12, Cortez told The Times-Picayune that Vitter was "a regular customer" during his time in the state legislature, but that they "did not have a romantic relationship." [102] On September 12, 2007, The Times-Picayune reported that the woman, whose real name was Wendy Ellis, had passed a lie detector exam.[103]

Vitter is unlikely to face criminal charges due to the statute of limitations.[104] Vitter apologized to GOP senate colleagues but avoided the press who repeatedly attempted to talk to him. [105]

On November 13, 2007, the attorney for Palfrey served Vitter with a subpoena to force him to testify at a November 28, 2007 hearing about whether an act of prostitution occurred with a Palfrey escort and when.[106][107] The following week, the judge in the case canceled the hearing.[108] Palfrey's attorney indicated he planned to subpoena Vitter to testify at her 2008 criminal trial.[109]

After Senator Larry Craig was admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee for acting improperly after his arrest for lewd contact in an airport bathroom in February 2008, the watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington questioned why the committee had not taken similar action against Vitter.[110]


[edit] Reaction
While the Louisiana state Republican Party offered guarded support,[111] national Republicans offered forgiveness.[112] The liberal magazine, The Nation, predicted that the Republican Party would be in a "forgiving mood" pointing out if Vitter did step down, Democratic Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco would likely appoint a Democrat to take Vitter's place until a special election took place, thus increasing Democratic control over the Senate.[113][114][115] Margaret Carlson of Bloomberg News agreed, saying that since there is a Democratic governor in Louisiana, "they were afraid if they slapped around Vitter too much, that seat would go Democratic."[116]

Marianne Means, a syndicated columnist for Hearst Newspapers, reported that Republican senators gave Vitter a "loud standing ovation" which she characterized as hypocritical by contrasting this with the Republican attitude toward President Clinton's marital infidelity.[117] The applause came after Vitter privately apologized to his colleagues.[28]

Republican Senator Sam Brownback told Bloomberg Television on October 5, 2007 that Vitter should be censured by the Senate. He said, "I think you could see something like that taking place. If you look at the actual crime itself and the discussion across the country ? and as a Republican ? this is bad."[118]

Vitter was also criticized by the University of New Orleans College Republicans for holding a second press conference about the scandal at the same time that fellow Republican Bobby Jindal formally kicked off his campaign for governor. They called on Vitter to resign after that action, accusing him of putting himself before the good of the party.[119]

In December, 2007, an editorial in The Advocate of Baton Rouge, Louisiana claimed the Vitter had lost influence due to the controversy.[120] In the same month, Time magazine listed the controversy as one of the top ten awkward moments of 2007.[121]

[Steve]

Let's roll out all the latest and greatest, then. :rolleyes:

That has what, exactly, to do with the NY Governor??? :confused:

[TheCopperCowboy]

That has what, exactly, to do with the NY Governor??? :confused:

Vitter is still in Congress. Given time, it all blows away. Call girls and madams are just another tool used for political blackmail. All he has to do is have his wifes and the Good Lord above forgiveness, and all is right in the world. My money is on, he stays. :cool:

[DaJudge]

I believe it was you who typed something in another thread today about getting the government we deserve. This is a prime example of that.
Wasn't me but it's true. :(

His family will suffer but who else? This is close to a victimless crime.
The citizens of New York might not agree if the reports about Spitzer's Lt Gov are true. See my post above.

Hillary will be a victim too as she will lose his super delegate vote (http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/03/11/spitzer-spoils-clintons-delegate-count/?mod=googlenews_wsj). THAT breaks my heart.

[Steve]

Vitter is still in Congress. Given time, it all blows away.

Only if the voters let it happen, which as you note, happens more often than not. We get the government we vote for and deserve. :(

[TheCopperCowboy]

Only if the voters let it happen, which as you note, happens more often than not. We get the government we vote for and deserve. :(

I'm not sure when his term is up, but I also don't think he is stepping down. Took some heat for the illegal immigrant driver license fiasco. I wish they would just legalize prostitution. :idea:

[DaJudge]

I'm not sure when his term is up, but I also don't think he is stepping down. Took some heat for the illegal immigrant driver license fiasco. I wish they would just legalize prostitution. :idea:
News reports say he is negotiating with the Feds, "I'll resign if you don't prosecute me."

Wall Street Journal: The Democratic National Committee today confirmed that New York would lose Spitzer?s superdelegate slot. His resignation at this point seems inevitable. The New York Sun (http://www.nysun.com/article/72640) reported today that the governor is using his resignation as a potential bargaining chip with federal prosecutors to avoid criminal charges.

Late night TV comics are having a ball (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/11/latenight-tv-jokes-spitz_n_90931.html)with it.

[Swat]

The citizens of New York might not agree if the reports about Spitzer's Lt Gov are true. See my post above.

Hillary will be a victim too as she will lose his super delegate vote (http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/03/11/spitzer-spoils-clintons-delegate-count/?mod=googlenews_wsj). THAT breaks my heart.

Yes the Lt. Gov. could be quite a large ripple! He won't last long though.

I still stand by my thought that this compares to the Clinton and Lewinsky affair. A waste if all he did was see a whore. :shrug: I beleive in forgiving what can be and this is a pretty small thing in the scheme of things. Maybe not so small in that he's a hypocrit! I haven't made-up my mind yet. Damn, He is my hero in how he goes after securities theifs!!!

[Steve]

I still stand by my thought that this compares to the Clinton and Lewinsky affair. A waste if all he did was see a whore. :shrug: I beleive in forgiving what can be and this is a pretty small thing in the scheme of things.

If Clinton hadn't committed perjury the Lewinsky affair would have been nothing but an embarassment. The problem with Spitzer's case is that he broke a federal law. Is that really okay with you? Yeah, there are worse crimes, but that doesn't justify it.

[Trango]

The "Number two" effect = why Doug Bruce is in office.

[Swat]

If Clinton hadn't committed perjury the Lewinsky affair would have been nothing but an embarassment. The problem with Spitzer's case is that he broke a federal law. Is that really okay with you? Yeah, there are worse crimes, but that doesn't justify it.

OK, perjury in the Clinton thing is understandable, but why did they go after him in the first place for a blow job? Pure politics! Then he perjured himself.

Spitzer took a bunch of folks down for the same thing. He goes down now, in flames, as a hypocrit and because of his self-rightiousness in taking others down. I am very disappointed in him. He should step down.:mad:

I'd not turn a blind eye but wouldn't cast the first stone. It is very disappointing to see who you thought was a rightious person fall. He's not rightious and I didn't really know the man. I only knew of what he had done for the Securities industry which was rightious.

Regarding casting the first stone: We all need a chance when we screw-up if the level of the mistake is not too great. Ya he should step down but should he be prosecuted for a misdemeanor or feloney resulting from a 1910 law regarding white slavery? We all could have gone down in the past for similar lower level mistakes. We are all a bunch of sinners!

[Steve]

He just resigned.

[Gags]

I believe it was you who typed something in another thread today about getting the government we deserve. This is a prime example of that.

I think it was me.

[Gags]

Why do people care so much about people having sex? It's their life not ours. I didn't even care that Haggard was gay if he just admitted it and didn't condem gays. It's just sex.

[Oscar]

To me it the hypocrisy they stood and took a public view on the evils and illegal of the actions. Could careless about their private lives but as in the case of the Gov. He was big on fighting crime but he was willing to break the same law. To me doesn't matter which law to me but its the double standard.
Kind of the do as I say not as I do thing.

[Steve]

Why do people care so much about people having sex? It's their life not ours. I didn't even care that Haggard was gay if he just admitted it and didn't condem gays. It's just sex.

I think, at least in this case, it goes beyond "just sex." Spitzer was a very outspoken law & order crusader, and had even prosecuted some prostitution ring cases using some pretty derogatory language about them. So, while he was condemning prostitution he was also a customer - at the same time.

Plus, whether you agree with the laws or not, he broke not only a state law but a federal law.

[Gags]

I think, at least in this case, it goes beyond "just sex." Spitzer was a very outspoken law & order crusader, and had even prosecuted some prostitution ring cases using some pretty derogatory language about them. So, while he was condemning prostitution he was also a customer - at the same time.

Plus, whether you agree with the laws or not, he broke not only a state law but a federal law.

Don't get me wrong. He needed to fall. The hypocrisy is overwhelming. This happens so often it's scary. It makes you want to look at every person who is "outspoken." Love to see what that digs up. Do what I say not what I do...F-ing BS. No justice no peace.

[Oscar]

When did Bill Cowher become a Governor?

http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/POLITICS/03/12/spitzer/t1home.spitzer.04.ap.jpg

[denverd0n]

Spitzer was a very outspoken law & order crusader...
Not just law and order. He got after my company for things that he felt were unethical, even though he acknowledged from the start that they were NOT illegal. Cost us a lot of customers, and our shareholders a lot of money.

The word "hypocrisy" doesn't even BEGIN to describe it!

[denverd0n]

OK, perjury in the Clinton thing is understandable, but why did they go after him in the first place for a blow job?
They didn't. You need to go back and review... well, what really happened.

(I was going to say "review the history," but it's too darned recent to be considered history!)

[Batgirl]

In this case, I don't understand two things:

1) Why were the Feds allegedly 'negotiating' with him not to prosecute if he resigned? What does his resignation have to do with whether they will prosecute or not?

2) Why his wife would appear by his side. He was spending tens of thousands of dollars of his family's money on hookers when he had three teenage girls and a beautiful wife at home. No WAY would I humiliate myself further by standing at a podium with this hypocritical turd. I'd be home with my girls, caring for them.

[Steve]

In this case, I don't understand two things:

1) Why were the Feds allegedly 'negotiating' with him not to prosecute if he resigned? What does his resignation have to do with whether they will prosecute or not?

2) Why his wife would appear by his side.

1. That's just a rumor in the press. The U.S. Attorney for NY says there are no negotiations going on.

2. Beats the hell out of me. Politician's wives always do that for some dumbass reason. :confused:

[IH8PVMNT]

I don't fault him at all for seeing a prostitute its his hypocrisy that is the problem I think. But then I dont think prostitution is morally wrong anyway so maybe its just me. I would be for legalizing the worlds oldest profession.

[Batgirl]

I don't fault him at all for seeing a prostitute its his hypocrisy that is the problem I think. But then I dont think prostitution is morally wrong anyway so maybe its just me. I would be for legalizing the worlds oldest profession.

The hypocrisy here is over the top, but as other say, not surprising. Those who yell the loudest about being righteous sure seem to have a tendency to be the biggest hypocrites.

But for a married man and father of three teenage girls (who we can safely assume don't condone or know about his behaviors) you honestly feel that there is no moral problem here? Can't agree with you. :shrug:

[DaJudge]

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/misc/logoprinter.gif (http://www.nytimes.com/) http://graphics8.nytimes.com/ads/spacer.gif[/URL]




March 21, 2008

U.S. Defends Tough Tactics on Spitzer

By [URL="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/j/david_johnston/index.html?inline=nyt-per"]DAVID JOHNSTON (http://www.nytimes.com/adx/bin/adx_click.html?type=goto&page=www.nytimes.com/printer-friendly&pos=Position1&sn2=336c557e/4f3dd5d2&sn1=7e169cc6/cc066dcb&camp=foxsearch2008_emailtools_810901d-nyt5&ad=UTSM3.19.8&goto=http://www.foxsearchlight.com/underthesamemoon/) and PHILIP SHENON (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/philip_shenon/index.html?inline=nyt-per)

WASHINGTON ? The Justice Department used some of its most intrusive
tactics against Eliot Spitzer (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/eliot_l_spitzer/index.html?inline=nyt-per), examining his financial records, eavesdropping
on his phone calls and tailing him during its criminal investigation of the
Emperor?s Club prostitution ring.

The scale and intensity of the investigation of Mr. Spitzer, then the
governor of New York, seemed on its face to be a departure for the Justice
Department, which aggressively investigates allegations of wrongdoing by
public officials, but almost never investigates people who pay prostitutes
for sex.

A review of recent federal cases shows that federal prosecutors go
sparingly after owners and operators of prostitution enterprises, and usually
only when millions of dollars are involved or there are aggravating
circumstances, like human trafficking or child exploitation.

Government lawyers and investigators defend the expenditure of resources
on Mr. Spitzer in the Emperor?s Club V.I.P. (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/e/emperors_club_vip/index.html?inline=nyt-org) case as justifiable and necessary
since it involved the possibility of criminal wrongdoing by New York?s highest
elected official, who had been the state?s top prosecutor.

Bradley D. Simon, a veteran Justice Department trial lawyer who was
federal prosecutor in Brooklyn throughout the 1990s, said that although it
was rare for the department to use so many resources on the workings of a
prostitution ring, the involvement of such a high-level politician must
change the equation.

?If they?ve got some evidence of a high-ranking public official involved in
violations of federal criminal code, it may not be unreasonable for them to
pursue it,? he said. Still, he said, ?I don?t think prostitution has been a high
priority at the Justice Department.?

The focus on Mr. Spitzer was so intense that the F.B.I. (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/f/federal_bureau_of_investigation/index.html?inline=nyt-org) used surveillance
teams to follow both him and the prostitute in Washington in February. The
surveillance teams had followed him at least once before ? when he visited
the city in January but did not engage a prostitute, officials said, confirming
a report in The Washington Post. Stakeouts and surveillance are labor-
intensive and often involve teams of a dozen or more agents and non-agent
specialists.

An affidavit filed in the prostitution case did not identify Mr. Spitzer by
name, only as Client 9, but it provided far more detail, some of it unusually
explicit, about Client 9?s encounter with the prostitute than about any of
the nine other clients identified by number in the document.

Government officials, including several who have been briefed on details of
the case but declined to speak on the record because they were not
authorized to discuss a continuing inquiry, said there was no alternative but
to look into Mr. Spitzer?s activities once investigators began examining
reports of suspicious transactions that banks filed with the Treasury
Department. Those reports suggested to investigators that Mr. Spitzer
might have been trying to keep anyone from noticing transfers of his own
funds. That is the kind of activity that can bring an investigation of the
possibility of corruption.

The reports led prosecutors and investigators to what some describe as a
kind of crossroads. While they do not routinely investigate allegations
concerning public officials who pay for sex, the Justice Department and
Federal Bureau of Investigation regard public corruption as a high priority
and routinely investigate allegations of even low-level wrongdoing.

?If the government gets a Suspicious Activity Report about a high-ranking
public official, they would be negligent not to pursue it, if only to determine
whether there was bribery or extortion involved,? said Robert D. Luskin, a
defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor. Mr. Luskin said that as the
case proceeds, the more difficult questions could well involve how the
information about Mr. Spitzer became public and whether the government
?will prosecute Spitzer if it doesn?t prosecute others in the same situation.?

The Treasury reports led federal investigators to the Emperor?s Club and Mr.
Spitzer?s involvement with prostitutes, and later to the 47-page affidavit
filed with the complaint that referred to him as Client 9.

The officials said that once they learned that such a prominent figure was
involved in soliciting prostitutes, and had seemed to be arranging sex in
violation of the statute that prohibits travel across state lines to engage in
sex, they wanted to follow the evidence.

Moreover, several asserted that had they dropped the matter or given Mr.
Spitzer?s conduct only cursory examination, they almost certainly would
have been accused of a cover-up for failing to aggressively investigate
possible misconduct by a public official.

In defending their handling of the case, officials said that in the end,
investigators chose to monitor his conduct but made no effort to set up a
sting, or an arranged situation in which Mr. Spitzer might implicate himself.
They did not surreptitiously record his activities inside the hotel or seek to
obtain DNA evidence. It was not necessary, as Mr. Spitzer proved to be
easy prey, according to the affidavit, which was signed by an F.B.I. agent.

It indicated that on Feb. 13 federal agents staked out his hotel in
Washington, and it contained recorded conversations that amply
demonstrated that he willingly had a sexual encounter with a prostitute.
Afterward she was recorded on a wiretap telling an Emperor?s Club
employee: ?I don?t think he?s difficult. I mean it?s kind of like, whatever.?

On March 10, when Mr. Spitzer was first identified by name by The New
York Times on its Web site, the affidavit was widely used by news
organizations to describe graphic details about his conduct.

Several current and former federal prosecutors and prominent defense
lawyers who reviewed the document said the inclusion of such salacious
details about Mr. Spitzer?s encounter with the prostitute went far beyond
what was necessary to provide probable cause for the arrests and for
searches, the purpose of the affidavit.

The government has not accused Mr. Spitzer, a Democrat, of any
wrongdoing, although last week the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan,
Michael J. Garcia, issued a statement saying there had been no deal with
Mr. Spitzer?s lawyers, suggesting that a prosecution of some kind might still
be a possibility. Some officials have cautioned against drawing conclusions
about the case, since it is still under way while investigators try to
determine whether Mr. Spitzer misused public or campaign funds.

At the Justice Department in Washington, senior political appointees have
said they had little involvement in the case, saying that it was supervised
by Mr. Garcia and directly managed by Boyd M. Johnson III, head of the
public corruption unit in the Manhattan United States attorney?s office.

Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/m/michael_b_mukasey/index.html?inline=nyt-per), a former federal judge in New York,
was not told about the case until shortly before March 5, when the
complaint was filed against four of the prostitution ring?s employees.

Mr. Simon said it was unusual for the department to bring criminal charges
in a prostitution case in which there was no allegation of the exploitation of
children, human trafficking or some far more serious crime.

He said that in his eight years in the Brooklyn office in the 1990s, he could
not recall a single major criminal case that centered on prostitution
charges. ?There were a lot of serious crimes ? organized crime, narcotics
cases, major financial crime investigations,? he said in an interview.
?Prostitution was not a high priority.?

Law enforcement officials said the F.B.I. has about 450 active prostitution
cases under investigation, almost all involving enterprises and some using
techniques like wiretapping. In addition, since 2005, the F.B.I. has led an
initiative known as Innocence Lost, which investigates prostitution involving
underage women.

Justice Department officials insist that it has a strong record of breaking up
large prostitution rings around the country, but many of the cases they cite
involve case brought several years ago, especially before the Sept. 11,
2001, terror attacks; after that, the department vowed to focus its
attention on national security threats.

And for years, they acknowledge, the department has rarely, if ever,
prosecuted or even identified the clients of a prostitution ring.