Posted on 11/06/2008 8:47:05 PM PST by TheEaglehasLanded
U.S. Attorney Says Former N.Y. Governor Did Not Misuse Campaign Funds As A Client Of 'Emperors Club VIP'
NEW YORK (CBS) ― Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer will not face criminal charges following his role as a client in a high-profile prostution ring that led to his resignation in March.
U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia announced his decision Thursday afternoon.
"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," Garcia said in a statement.
Garcia also said there was no evidence pointing to criminal means of payment to the Club, despite court documents and published reports indicating that perhaps as much as $80,000 was transferred from Spitzer's account to a trio of dummy companies that were fronts for the escort service.
"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," Garcia said.
Spitzer issued a statement expressing relief in the decision and again apologizing for his misconduct, though once again not specifically stating what that misconduct was.
"I appreciate the impartiality and thoroughness of the investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office, and I acknowledge and accept responsibility for the conduct it disclosed. I resigned my position as Governor because I recognized that conduct was unworthy of an elected official. I once again apologize for my actions," Spitzer said.
Spitzer, the 54th governor of New York, officially resigned on March 17 after he was found to be a client of the Emperors Club VIP that was busted days before. He has remained out of the public eye since, though CBS 2 caught him in line to vote with his wife, Silda, on Tuesday morning in Manhattan.
Once known as "Mr. Clean" for his tenure as an attorney and attorney general, and his promise to sweep corruption up and out of Albany, he'll forever be known as "Client 9," which he was referred to in wiretaps of the call girl agency.
Financial transactions showed Spitzer spent thousands on prostitutes through the agency. In a transcript of the wiretap, it appeared that "Client 9" was willing to pay nearly $3,000 for just a few hours last month with call girl "Kristen," and even pay up to $2,000 in advance for future flings.
Kristen was later identified as 22-year-old aspiring musician Ashley Alexandra Dupree,
"I am deeply sorry I did not live up to what was expected from me. To every New Yorker, and all those who believed in what I tried to stand up for, I sincerely apologize," Spitzer said at the time of his resignation.
Four people pleaded guilty in recent months to running the prostitution operation that led to Spitzer's demise.
Stay with wcbstv.com and CBS 2 for the latest in this developing story
But Toricelli walked after he resigned, Spitzer walks after he resigned. Jefferson still serving, where the hell is his case. It's been 3 years.
Well, duh!
....and you’re surprised how???
If Chuck Berry went down and did time for violating the Mann Act, a tone-deaf excretory orifice like Spitzer should go away for life.
Special treatment for the Fascists
Please post articles with the ORIGINAL HEADLINE, NOT YOUR LITTLE EDITORIALS PLEASE.
Off the hooker?
gotta wonder if this coming right after the election is a coincidence, or if it might have been different if dems had not been about to take over doj.
Well....this frees him up to be Obama’s Attorney General and White House Social Director.
I assume this is just on potential charges of misappropriation of campaign funds...and that he is still facing charges for solicitation?
Surprise! Another continuance. Update from today:
"Rep. William Jefferson's federal corruption trial remains on hold after U.S. District Court Judge T. S. Ellis III today canceled a status conference that had been scheduled for Friday. The court is awaiting a U.S. Court of Appeals ruling on an appeal by Jefferson's lawyers to throw out most of the 16 charges against him.
"Ells' [sic] decision likely means a further delay in the congressman's trial, which had been scheduled for Dec. 2."
Lest we forget plagiarism by osama obama, Sandy Burglar, Terry McAuliffe’s raiding of Global Crossing to name just a very few. What did these RATS receive? One gets the presidency, one gets with a slap on the pinkie, and one gets away with $21 million—enough to loan the clintons money for their NY digs. Does the press crucify these? Nah! They’re demoncRATS. They can do no wrong.
Poor “Kristin” — her book and movie deal will not be nearly so lucrative now that Spitzfong has escaped prosecution.....it just helps the scandal to fade away.
How is young “Kristin” doing these days, anyway? She seems to be keeping herself out of the tabloids, or maybe I just haven’t noticed (don’t exactly read any tabloids unless they are linked on FR!).
As Duncan Hunter pointed out, Republicans are forced to resign and driven from the party for minor infractions while DUmocrats are given party chairmanships and promotions after committing felonies.
so,does this mean that no “johns” will be busted anymore in nys ?
You wait until the biggest news story you can then you release the news you need to release.
Believe me it is not race war, it is those whom hold power against everyone else.
Two words...Gerry Studds.
Revolution and the Guillotine......
Perhaps a few should be built on the Mall.......as a not so "subtle" reminder.
Wow I’m so not shocked...
This is what I mean. Prosecute your own; you @#$#@.
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