..Spitzer
Posted on 12/31/2005 10:32:11 AM PST by Behind Liberal Lines
ALBANY—Top New York Republicans have called for a formal investigation into allegations that Attorney General Eliot Spitzer threatened a man who wrote an editorial critical of Spitzer’s conduct.
According to the New York Post, both Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Rensselaer) and state Republican Chairman Stephen Minarik have urged that a formal investigation be launched into claims by John Whitehead, “one of the most respected figures on Wall St,” that Spitzer telephoned Whitehead and threatened him after Whitehead wrote an editorial about Spitzer in the Wall St. Journal.
a furious Spitzer tracked him down in Texas last spring after he authored an earlier piece in defense of former American International Group CEO Maurice "Hank" Greenberg, who was being investigated by Spitzer for corporate fraud. Citing notes he said he took during the telephone conversation, Whitehead quoted Spitzer as saying, "Mr. Whitehead, it's now a war between us and you've fired the first shot . . . I will be coming after you. You will pay the price."
In addition to Bruno and Minarik, the Post notes, Governor George Pataki has said he had "no reason not to believe" Whitehead was telling the truth.
Assemblyman Tom Kirwan (R-Newburgh) has called for Spitzer's impeachment “if Whitehead's charges are proven to be true.”
Spitzer has denied Whitehead’s claims. However, on Friday, the Post reported, Spitzer admitted to having a “a passionate conversation” with Whitehead.
Spitzer, considered the front-runner for New York's Governor in 2006, has come under criticism from some circles for what some view as "politically motivated" prosecutions of New York business leaders.
In November, the New York Daily News reported that Spitzer was using fines and settlements obtained from these prosecutions to hand out "millions of dollars to politically connected organizations that could boost his campaign for governor in 2006."
Spitzer denies that politics play a role in his office's activities.
I got a feeling Wall Street is not looking forward to four years of spitzer in control.
..Spitzer
Geeze....who are they talking about here,the Attorney General of the State of New York or Lucky Luciano?
..........................................................
Compared to some of the corrupt and depraved creeps we have running the tax and spend show in Albany, it would be a relief to have Luciano's gang take over.
INteresting...
Spitzer reminds me of 'Johnny the Nick'
i was wondering about that too. there seems to be something wrong with the article.
i have always heard that RFK was really ruthless, but i never heard specific examples. could you provide some?
lucky's eyes are those of a sociopath. Spitzer's look like he's very afraid, but i don't know what he's so afraid of.
By JOHN C. WHITEHEAD
December 22, 2005; Page A14
Last April, The Wall Street Journal published an op-ed piece by me titled "Mr. Spitzer Has Gone Too Far." In it I expressed my belief that in America, everyone -- including Hank Greenberg -- is innocent until proven guilty. "Something has gone seriously awry," I wrote, "when a state attorney general can go on television and charge one of America's best CEOs and most generous philanthropists with fraud before any charges have been brought, before the possible defendant has even had a chance to know what he personally is alleged to have done, and while the investigation is still under way."
Since there have been rumors in the media as to what happened next, I feel I must now set the record straight. After reading my op-ed piece, Mr. Spitzer tried to phone me. I was traveling in Texas but he reached me early in the afternoon. After asking me one or two questions about where I got my facts, he came right to the point. I was so shocked that I wrote it all down right away so I would be sure to remember it exactly as he said it. This is what he said:
"Mr. Whitehead, it's now a war between us and you've fired the first shot. I will be coming after you. You will pay the price. This is only the beginning and you will pay dearly for what you have done. You will wish you had never written that letter."
I tried to interrupt to say he was doing to me exactly what he'd been doing to others, but he wouldn't be interrupted. He went on in the same vein for several more sentences and then abruptly hung up. I was astounded. No one had ever talked to me like that before. It was a little scary.
It's up to others to make their own conclusions. I have only set out here what happened.
Mr. Whitehead, former chairman of Goldman Sachs, is chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corp.
+
Try a Google search centered around the time he was JFK's AG and just prior to this period.
That's my bet. He's looking way past Albany.
Time for Spitzer to be subjected to his own brand of justice.
No its so bad.....it has given all of us here in the empire state the runs....hence loose loose.
Sounds like Spitzer is making his critic AN OFFER HE CAN'T REFUSE!!!
What was I sayin about this dude that perceived himself as the reincarnation of Elliot Ness about a year ago? I know... ya don't remember, right?
If the report is credible, the Public Integrity Section will get him sooner or later.
Surely the fascist goonlet Spitzer is not a little vertically challenged runt like Pooty Pooty! The runts usually break bad once they achieve a bit of power. OTOH, the empire state's electorate seems to have developed a strong taste for fascistic rule - vide Schmucky Chucky, Crusty Britches and Mayor whatshisface. The threats against Whitehead suggest that Spitzer's cheeze has fallen off his cracker, bigtime. If I had Whitehead's resources, Spitzy would be experiencing some serious attitude recalibration right about now.
if Spitzer falls, absent a strong republican candidate - Suozzi will make a bee-line for Albany.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.