Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal

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The Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal erupted on March 10, 2008, when The New York Times reported that Democratic New York Governor Eliot Spitzer had patronized a high class prostitution service called Emperors Club VIP[1] on the evening of February 13, 2008, and met for over two hours with a $2,100-an-hour call girl[2] in an extra room that Spitzer rented for the purpose at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.. The room, Number 871, had been registered under the name of an uninvolved friend, George Fox, using Spitzer's Fifth Avenue Manhattan address.[3][4][5]

Client 9

Spitzer, referred to as "Client-9" in an affidavit filed in US Federal Court,[6] arranged to meet with a "model companion" described as "Kristen"-an "American, petite, very pretty brunette, 5 feet 5 inches and 105 pounds".[7][8] "Kristen" was later identified as Ashley Alexandra Dupré.[9][10] She intended to travel from New York City for the planned tryst and Spitzer agreed in advance that he "would be paying for everything—train tickets, cab fare from the hotel and back, mini-bar or room service, travel time and hotel".[11] After the assignation, Spitzer paid "Kristen"[12][13] $4,300 in cash. The payment included up to $1,500 as a deposit with the agency toward future services.[14] Reportedly, this information came to light from a federal wiretap.[15][16][17][18]

Spitzer had at least seven or eight liaisons with women from the agency over six months, and paid more than $15,000 for their services.[19][20] According to published reports, investigators believe Spitzer paid up to $80,000 for prostitutes over a period of several years while he was Attorney General, and later as Governor.[21][22][23]

The investigation was initiated after North Fork Bank[24] reported suspicious transactions to the IRS as required by the Bank Secrecy Act. According to Newsday, Spitzer wanted to transfer more than $10,000 to what turned out to be a front for the prostitution ring. However, he broke up the transactions into smaller slices due to federal law requiring the reporting of any transfer of $10,000 or more. When he tried to get his name taken off the wires, the bank refused, saying that the money had already been wired out and that it would be improper to do so in any case. The IRS' Criminal Investigation Division then started a probe, initially fearing that Spitzer was the victim of either extortion or identity theft.[25]

Later the IRS contacted the FBI to investigate possible political corruption. This eventually led Federal investigators to link the money transfers to the prostitution ring.[26][27] Federal prosecutors charged the four people operating the escort service with violations of the Mann Act the week prior to the announcement of Spitzer's involvement.[4][28]

Spitzer announced on March 12 that he would resign his post as Governor effective March 17, amid threats of his impeachment by state lawmakers.[29]Also on March 12 FBI agents determined Spitzer used a high-priced call-girl ring at least eight times in recent months, and agents had him under surveillance twice in the year 2008.[30]

"I cannot allow for my private failings to disrupt the peoples' work," Spitzer said at a news conference in New York City. "Over the course of my public life, I have insisted—I believe correctly—that people take responsibility for their conduct. I can and will ask no less of myself. For this reason, I am resigning from the office of governor."[21]

Reaction

After the Spitzers' initial press conference, New York State Assembly Republican Minority Leader James Tedisco and Republican New York Congressman Peter King separately called for his resignation. Tedisco later announced that he would initiate impeachment proceedings in the State Assembly if Spitzer did not resign[31]. Spitzer's office and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York declined to comment,[32][33][34] except to say that "There is no agreement between this office and Gov. Eliot Spitzer, relating to his resignation or any other matter."[35]

The real George Fox, who is a close friend and campaign donor of Spitzer, said that he was "disappointed and distressed" that Spitzer had used his name as an alias. Fox has confirmed that Spitzer privately apologized to him. [36]

According to Nell Minow, a corporate-governance expert, Wall Street reaction to the scandal has been largely positive, due to a general dislike of Spitzer amongst investment professionals.[37] Governor Spitzer made his iconic rise to victory in New York City politics promising "ethics and integrity to be the hallmarks of [his] administration." He had prosecuted several prostitution rings in his career.[38][39][40][41]

References

  1. ^ Feuer, Alan (2008-03-07). "Four Charged With Running Online Prostitution Ring". The New York Times.
  2. ^ "Emperor's Club Call Girl Photos: Client No. 9, Eliot Spitzer's Fall". Post Chronicle. 2008-03-11. Retrieved 2008-03-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "Sources: Spitzer under prostitution investigation". CNN. 2008-03-10. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  4. ^ a b Hakim, Danny (2008-03-10). "Spitzer Is Linked to Prostitution Ring". The New York Times]. Retrieved 2008-03-10. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Cohen, Laurie P. (2008-03-11). "Spitzer Engulfed in Sex Scandal". Wall Street Journal. p. A1. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ United States of America v. Mark Brener, Cecil Suwal, Temeka Rachelle Lewis, and Tanya Hollander (pdf). United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. 2008-03-05. Federal complaint.
  7. ^ Schecter, Anna (2008-03-11). "Escort: 'I'm Not THAT Kristen'". ABC News. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "Eliot Spitzer Resigns, Topless Call Girl Kristen Photo Online". Post Chronicle. 2008-03-12. Retrieved 2008-03-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Gaskell, Stephanie (2008-03-13). "Jersey girl is revealed as 'Kristen'". New York Daily News. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Kovaleski, Serge F. (2008-03-13). "Woman at the Center of Governor's Downfall". The New York Times. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Westfeldt, Amy (2008-03-10). "NY Governor Linked to Prostitution Ring". Associated Press.
  12. ^ Marconi, Mitch (2008-03-13). "Ashley Alexandra Dupre Photo: Emperors Club VIP Call Girl 'Kristen'". Post Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-03-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ Newspaper identifies Spitzer's 'Kristen' CNN.com, March 12, 2008
  14. ^ Kennedy, Helen (2008-03-11). "Details of how Eliot Spitzer arranged a Washington hotel room for tryst". New York Daily News.
  15. ^ "Spitzer As Client 9: Read Text Messages From Spitzer To Prostitute". The Huffington Post. 2008-03-10.
  16. ^ Wemple, Erik (2008-03-05). "Spitzer Missed Lesson of D.C. "Madam"". Washington City Paper.
  17. ^ "Spitzer apologizes to family, public". WNBC. 2008-03-10. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  18. ^ "Online Hooker Ring Busted". The Smoking Gun. 2008-03-06.
  19. ^ Kessler, Robert. "Eliot Spitzer met with call girls 7 or 8 times". Newsday. March 11, 2008.
  20. ^ "GOP Pol: Resign Or Else". WNBC. March 11, 2008.
  21. ^ a b Alberts, Sheldon (2008-03-12). "Spitzer resigns amid sex scandal". Canwest News Service. The Gazzette.
  22. ^ Disgraced NY Governor Won't Need New Job Associated Press, March 12, 2008
  23. ^ 80G 'Addicted to Love' Gov", NY Post, March 12, 2008
  24. ^ FBI Watched Spitzer Before February Incident-Washington Post-March 11, 2008
  25. ^ Kessler, Robert E. (2008-03-11). "Eliot Spitzer's bank turned him in to the IRS". Newsday. Retrieved 2008-03-11. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. ^ Ross, Brian (2008-03-10). "It Wasn't the Sex; Suspicious $$ Transfers Led to Spitzer".
  27. ^ Arena, Kelli (2008-03-11). "Sources: Money transfers spurred Spitzer probe". CNN. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
  28. ^ Weiner, Eric. "The Long, Colorful History of the Mann Act". NPR. March 10, 2008.
  29. ^ "'Deeply sorry,' Spitzer to step down by Monday". CNN. 2008-03-12. Retrieved 2008-03-12.
  30. ^ "Sources: Spitzer used call-girl service at least 8 times". CNN. 2008-03-12. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
  31. ^ "Republicans Set Deadline For Governor's Ousting: 'I've Asked Him To Resign'". WCBS-TV. March 11, 2007.
  32. ^ "Gov. Spitzer tied to prostitution ring". New York Daily News. 2008-03-10. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  33. ^ "NY Assembly Minority leader says Gov should resign". Reuters. 2008-03-10. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  34. ^ "Spitzer Scandal Reaction". The Associated Press. 2008-03-10. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  35. ^ "U.S. Attorney Says There Is No Deal With Spitzer". The New York Times. 2008-03-12.
  36. ^ Svea Herbst-Bayliss, Reuters, Spitzer's friend Fox upset his name used as alias, Reuters, 2008-03-11.
  37. ^ Blaine, Charley (2008-03-11). "Stocks soar after Fed acts". MSN Money. Retrieved 2008-03-11. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ "Sources: Spitzer Resignation Expected: Lt. Gov. David Paterson Could Be Sworn In Within 48 Hours, Spitzer Retains Powerful Manhattan Law Firm". WCBS-TV. 2008-03-12.
  39. ^ Bovzar, Chris (2008-03-10). "Report: Governor Spitzer Involved With 'Prostitution Ring'". New York Magazine. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  40. ^ "Operators of "Escort Services" Indicted: Authorities Say the Business Was a Front for a Massive Prostitution Ring" (Press release). Office of the New York State Attorney General. 2004-04-07.
  41. ^ Rashbaum, William K (2004-04-08). "18 Arrested in Lucrative Prostitution Ring out of Staten Island". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-12.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eliot_Spitzer_prostitution_scandal&oldid=197963881"