Posted on 03/12/2008 9:03:34 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
The prostitution ring that ensnared New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer stunned officers at SAPD.
For some, the big surprise wasn't that a federal wiretap captured a governor arranging to meet a call girl.
No, the shock was how much prostitutes were charging: $1,000 to $5,500 per hour.
"That's crazy," one cop said. "Who could afford that?"
Court papers say a number of wealthy men met with Emperor's Club prostitutes in New York, Washington, London, Paris, Miami, and Los Angeles. Spitzer, an affidavit says, paid $4,300 in cash.
"Amazing," said a second officer. "Makes you wonder what the girl did in an hour."
In Spitzer's case, the affidavit says, the cash paid for train tickets, cab fare, hotel, room service, mini bar and sex, with some, apparently, used for credit toward a next encounter.
"Outrageous," the first cop said, "even for New York standards."
As officers followed the news on TV and the Internet, I asked about a case involving an alleged multimillion dollar escort service in San Antonio.
In late October, SAPD seized computers, ledgers and credit card information from two Northwest Side residences. Authorities described the homes as the business center of Executive Playmates, the largest prostitution ring in city history.
No one was charged. But law enforcement sources said index cards from the raid yielded information on some 2,000 customers.
So what's the latest on Executive Playmates?
SAPD forwarded the findings from its investigation to federal authorities last week.
"We are awaiting word from the U.S. attorney's office as to what charges they will go forward with and who will be charged," police Chief Bill McManus said in a statement Tuesday.
The chief offered no other details. Normally chatty officers professed across-the-board ignorance.
"Haven't heard a thing," said one plugged-in-cop.
"It's been kept real quiet," said another.
No one will say if the names of politicians or public officials appear on escort service index cards. After the October raid, McManus told the Express-News: "I suspect there will be some nervous people."
Those who know if any power brokers should be nervous aren't talking. And that's not like SAPD. The department springs all kinds of leaks at the first whiff of scandal. But not in this case, which makes you wonder.
From previous interviews, I can tell you this: Call girls with Executive Playmates worked on the cheap compared with those at the Emperor's Club — the service that allegedly catered to Spitzer.
In January, law enforcement sources told me more than 300 women worked for Executive Playmates, some charging up to $200 per hour.
Two hundred dollars here would get a client a little more than two minutes with the most expensive Emperor's Club call girl.
One source expressed amazement that some local men "spent over $15,000 on escorts in a six-month period."
Now consider Spitzer: Investigators Tuesday said he spent as much as $80,000 with the Emperor's Club over an extended period.
The case against Spitzer continues to develop. But the big name and major details have been exposed. In San Antonio, names and details remain sealed. No telling what the feds will do. But the story of former Madam Theresa Brown is worth remembering.
Her infamous local list of clients was said to include prominent public officials. But under court order in 1985, it was destroyed.
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Call Ken Rodriguez at (210) 250-3369 or e-mail krodriguez@express-news.net
I am betting we see $100,000 ring on Mrs. Spitzers hand pretty soon.
Who could afford that? The son of a billionaire.
This seems to be a rare instance when a Liberal is willing to spend his own money.
Ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
Destroyed the list. And selective enforcement. Henry Cisnaros paying mistresses again?
We’ve come a long way from “Love you long time ten dollah, short time five dollah”
It’s his daddy’s money. No liberal ever spends his own money. That tenent is still intact.
Yet to be determined, from what I have read. He may have used public or campaign funds.
Maybe the “Johns” also get a 1% price rebate when they pay by credit card.
Maybe they also get “air miles” with every “purchase.”
Maybe it’s a matter of “bragging rights” later on at the Men’s Club (”What?! You paid only $2,000 for an evening? I paid $4,400 for just three hours - and that including waiting for the Viagra to take effect!”)
And remember: The “customers” also got a complimentary welcome tropical drink with an umbrella in it, a souvenir handtowel, and a $1-off coupon for a family-size Domino Pizza (offer not valid on weekends - limitations may apply in some localities.)
Regards,
True to a point, but I assume his dad’s money is his money.
There was an outfit called Denver Players busted here. They got $300-$400 an hour. The only name that has surfaced is the Chief Judge of the federal court, Ed Nottingham.
Couple of comments about the article.
Teresa Brown’s trick list was published in one of the alternative newspapers, copies of which quickly became a collectors item.
Teresa later ran for city council and lost.
This seems to be a rare instance when a Liberal is willing to spend his own Daddy's money.
There, fixed it.
Yep...gonna make Kobe Bryant look like a piker.
The thread with that picture was ZOTTED in less than 15 minutes.
I can imagine lots of things. And then I can imagine them again and again and again... And then I need a cigarette. ;-)
They are surprised????? Hell....they have their own website for petes sake. How smart do you have to be to catch these people? It basically tells me that no one really cares unless you want to catch a certain individual.
You can stupid ... it's friggin' tax money.
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