No Federal charges for Spitzer - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

The_Jazz · 11-06-2008, 05:49 PM

From U.S. Attorney Michael J. Garcia click to show

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?

ngdawg · 11-06-2008, 05:59 PM

Any anonymous "john" would get at least a desk ticket and charged with whatever johns get charged with for paying a hooker.
However, any anonymous john probably wouldn't have high paid lawyers playing games in the courts, using up taxpayer money and wasting judges' time for what would amount to a small fine, a slap on the wrist, etc. Cheaper to fuhgeddaboudit, I guess.
His political life was ruined, that's punishment enough.

percy · 11-06-2008, 07:10 PM

I would imagine there are alot of very high powered people in positions of authority who have just breathed a collective sigh of relief. I doubt very much Spitzer just woke up one day and said, "Hey, I think I will get a high priced call girl today, just for the fun of it."

I would imagine he was introduced to it by his peers,..a line up that would make every madam in New York hire extra talent scouts just for Fashion Week alone to find the picks of the crop.

I guess all we will ever know is that Spitzer got caught. I certainly would have liked to see the lid get blown off, because where there is one rat, there are more

11-06-2008, 05:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	No Federal charges for Spitzer From U.S. Attorney Michael J. Garcia click to show 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? __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin "There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush "We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

11-06-2008, 05:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	Any anonymous "john" would get at least a desk ticket and charged with whatever johns get charged with for paying a hooker. However, any anonymous john probably wouldn't have high paid lawyers playing games in the courts, using up taxpayer money and wasting judges' time for what would amount to a small fine, a slap on the wrist, etc. Cheaper to fuhgeddaboudit, I guess. His political life was ruined, that's punishment enough. __________________ Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

11-06-2008, 07:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
percy Addict	I would imagine there are alot of very high powered people in positions of authority who have just breathed a collective sigh of relief. I doubt very much Spitzer just woke up one day and said, "Hey, I think I will get a high priced call girl today, just for the fun of it." I would imagine he was introduced to it by his peers,..a line up that would make every madam in New York hire extra talent scouts just for Fashion Week alone to find the picks of the crop. I guess all we will ever know is that Spitzer got caught. I certainly would have liked to see the lid get blown off, because where there is one rat, there are more