Legal Commentary

NY Gov. Eliot Spitzer Linked to Prostitution Ring

By Jeralyn

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is about to hold a press conference. He advised his aides earlier he's been linked to a prostitution ring.

Update: Jeffrey Toobin went to law school with Spitzer and is telling CNN now on the phone he was always such a straight arrow. As Attorney General, he was always a "moralist." I have to agree. I used to debate Spitzer on tv before he was Attorney General and met him several times. He's the least likely person I can imagine being involved in this. I never liked his position on crime, but I liked him and am sorry to see this.

We're all waiting for the press conference. It's still not happening. CNN says he was a customer of the ring. This was an IRS investigation, would he really have used a credit card and left a paper trail? Or did his name just show up in records? Stay tuned, I'll try to live-blog the press conference if it happens.

Update: Press Conference: His wife is by his side. He didn't resign, he apologized to his family and the public and said he would be taking some time to regain the trust of his family. Very short, no details. He said politics is not about individuals, it's about ideas. He said he'll be reporting back. He said he acted in a way that violates the obligation to his family and his sense of right and wrong. No questions.

More on the prostitution ring below: From the court docket as to the prostitution ring busted last week (CASE #: 1:08-mj-00463, U.S. v. Mark Brener):

(REDACTED) COMPLAINT as to Mark Brener (1), Cecil Suwal (2), Temeka Rachelle Lewis (3), Tanya Hollander (4). In Violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 1952, 2421, 2422, 1956 (Conspiracy to use Facility of Interstate Commerce to Promote, Establish or Carry on a Prostitution Business, Conspiracy to Transport Individuals in Interstate Commerce, and Persuade Individuals to Travel in Interstate Commerce, to Engage in Prostitution, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering) (Signed by Judge Magistrate Judge Ronald L. Ellis) (dif) Modified on 3/7/2008 (dif). Modified on 3/7/2008 (dif). (Entered: 03/07/2008)

It's strange that the documents aren't hot-linked so we can view them. Another oddity: The defendants are indigent and represented by court-appointed counsel.

The New York Times is now saying he was caught on a wiretap at a Washington hotel last week arranging to meet a prostitute. Spitzer is identified as "client number 9."

Update: Here's the criminal complaint (pdf)in the case.

Page 5, Paragraphs x and y seem to be the operative ones. On Feb. 12, 2008, the client called the service and asked them to send an escort to Washington. On Feb. 13, an escort traveled to Washington.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on March 10, 2008 (boomark / email).