From U.S. Attorney Michael J. Garcia
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On March 6, 2008, this Office announced the filing of criminal charges related to an international prostitution ring known as the Emperors Club VIP. The investigation which led to those charges began when this Office learned of payments made in a questionable manner by former Governor SPITZER to a bank account in the name ‘QAT Consulting.’ After the investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Internal Revenue Service — Criminal Investigation Division, the Office determined that the QAT Consulting account and a similar account at another financial institution had been used to launder more than $1 million worth of criminal proceeds derived from the Emperors Club VIP’s prostitution business.
ELIOT SPITZER has acknowledged to this Office that he was a client of, and made payments to, the Emperors Club VIP. Our investigation has shown that on multiple occasions, Mr. SPITZER arranged for women to travel from one state to another state to engage in prostitution. After a thorough investigation, this Office has uncovered no evidence of misuse of public or campaign funds. In addition, we have determined that there is insufficient evidence to bring charges against Mr. SPITZER for any offense relating to the withdrawal of funds for, and his payments to, the Emperors Club VIP.
In light of the policy of the Department of Justice with respect to prostitution offenses and the longstanding practice of this Office, as well as Mr. SPITZER’s acceptance of responsibility for his conduct, we have concluded that the public interest would not be further advanced by filing criminal charges in this matter.
Well, with Quasimondo's permission, I'm taking this and running with the conversation.
The Federal government isn't charging him with a crime. Given that he was smart enough not to use campaign money for his trysts and that the Mann Act is an 80 year-old punchline, I don't have a problem with this particular decision. But under the circumstances, I think that the People (of whichever locality) need their day in court. The Fed's responsibility, to me at least, ends when it was determined he paid for this "service" himself. But I find it hard to believe that the State of NY or NYC would not step up to grind the axe a little more. Spitzer pissed off a LOT of people, and I know several who, while happy that he lost his governorship and potential shot at the White House, would love to see him brought before a judge. Perhaps that's just retribution, but I don't get why the only people getting any sort of punishment are the pimps and madams (yes, I know, the poor pimps and madams).
Any one else have any thoughts?