The takedowns were for free whores.

March 10, 2008 12:17 PM

New York's Governor Eliot Spitzer (Wiki) has been linked to a high-class prostitution ring.
posted by griphus (280 comments total)

Oh, man, do we keep the double when the original is made of editorializing?! This is gonna be awesome!
posted by kittens for breakfast at 12:20 PM on March 10

Looks like he's gonna resign.
posted by griphus at 12:21 PM on March 10

OK, I'll still respect him if it was Raquel.
posted by Auden at 12:23 PM on March 10

Spitzer's a fucking steamroller.
posted by Poolio at 12:25 PM on March 10

He's a demolition derby, baby. A hefty hunk of steaming junk.
posted by danb at 12:26 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]

How reassuring to know that the right wing doesn't have an absolute lock on rank hypocrisy.

Sigh.
posted by bicyclefish at 12:27 PM on March 10

Is it possible to follow links in a Google cache version of a website? (as, e.g., this page)
posted by AwkwardPause at 12:27 PM on March 10

For those interested, grab the google cache bookmarklet and head over here.*
posted by pwb503 at 12:29 PM on March 10

Fail.

Seriously, what is it with these guys that they can't keep it zipped while they're in office. It's not like they're some quivering 18-year-old.
posted by mojohand at 12:29 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]

So... any other powerful names on that list?
posted by R. Mutt at 12:30 PM on March 10

what is it with these guys

Laws are for little people, not VIPs.
posted by aramaic at 12:32 PM on March 10

Seriously, what is it with these guys that they can't keep it zipped while they're in office?

Men in such high positions usually have high testosterone levels.
posted by QuietDesperation at 12:33 PM on March 10

"I hope that asshole pulls a fucking Budd Dwyer today, that hypocritical piece of shit."

I don't understand this kind of violent, angry reaction at all.

I feel like its such a shame and a sad waste; he had the makings of a truly
great future president (based on his term as NY Attorney General, though his time as Gov
has been very mixed). Sad.
posted by Auden at 12:36 PM on March 10

From the Emporer's Club webpage linked to above (thanks pwb503):

Providing a convenient variety of services globally, specializing in deluxe concierge, model introduction, contemporary art and Investment services is our expertise.

Wow. Now that we know what the "model introduction" service is about, I can hardly wait to see what the "deluxe concierge" does.
posted by bicyclefish at 12:36 PM on March 10

That's a damn shame. He was someone I was really rooting for a few years back when he was such a crusader. You'd think someone who made a name for himself accumulating political enemies through relentless prosecution would know enough to keep his own nose clean.
posted by absalom at 12:38 PM on March 10

meh,

High-ranking NY public official involved in prostitution ring?

Call me braindead-from-watching-too-much-crime-drama, but call me when they bring in this guy to testify.
posted by [son] QUAALUDE at 12:38 PM on March 10

WHAT THE FUCK, ELIOT?

WHAT THE FUCK?
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 12:38 PM on March 10 [7 favorites]

Men in such high positions usually have high testosterone levels.

And wives, and children.

I hope he winds up writing a book that becomes a bestseller, then embarking on a speaking tour for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and then serving on the board of several corporations while holding down a no-show partnership in a prestigious law firm.

I only hope these things because I know they will happen, and I can't bear disappointment.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 12:38 PM on March 10 [4 favorites]

just call me?
posted by [son] QUAALUDE at 12:40 PM on March 10

Joe Bruno, Spitzer's arch enemy, Republican leader of the New York State Senate, and current FBI focus of his own little scandal, must be dancing around his office.
posted by R. Mutt at 12:40 PM on March 10

Spitzer did not resign.

He read a short statement of apology, said he needs to rededicate himself to his family, and then left the room amid shouts of "Are you resigning?"
posted by Poolio at 12:41 PM on March 10

At least it didn't involve bathroom stalls or underage boys.
posted by monospace at 12:41 PM on March 10

Sorry. Outrage fatigue here.
posted by mephron at 12:42 PM on March 10

Who got the last word? That's right. The "entertainment" industry. Beeyatch.
posted by phaedon at 12:42 PM on March 10

For those of you out of state who wants some local analysis and whatnot, NY1 has a live audio-only stream of what they're broadcasting live, which has been 95% Spitzer for the last hour.

As for the matter at hand: it is truly unbelievable to watch how quickly he's plummeted since he was elected.
posted by Remy at 12:43 PM on March 10

If this is already possible today, this text messaging thing may really be big some day.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 12:44 PM on March 10

This is disappointing. Spitzer was a breath of fresh air as Attorney General, particularly in light of the pro-business GOP in control of Washington. But as noted above, his tenure as Governor has been a lot of promises made but few results. The slander campaign against Bruno is exactly the sort of thing you wouldn't have expected from someone like him. Now this. He should have stayed where he was.
posted by tommasz at 12:45 PM on March 10

Human male has sex with human female, other humans who also have sex pass moral judgment; modern civilization preserved!
posted by Brocktoon at 12:45 PM on March 10 [7 favorites]

Video of Spitzer's statement
posted by Poolio at 12:47 PM on March 10

Can you hear that? It's the sound of every executive on Wall Street laughing in tears.
posted by brain_drain at 12:47 PM on March 10 [3 favorites]

As attorney general, he also had prosecuted at least two prostitution rings as head of the state’s organized crime task force.

I hope that [person who says that a thing is immoral and must not be done, and uses the power of the state to imprison people who do it, who then engages in those acts himself] piece of [digested and excreted biological waste] pulls a [former treasurer of Pennsylvania] and [releases his soul from its earthly bonds] [the day before tomorrow].

[Hugs and kisses, Matt, Jess, Tex. I hope this format makes this sentiment palatable to your virgin eyes.]
posted by Optimus Chyme at 12:48 PM on March 10 [7 favorites]

In a (very) small way, I'm glad we found out about this now, before he could run for president. I don't think I could live through another mind-numbing round of sex-obsessed media and GOPpers prattling on and on about how President Spitzer's infidelity makes him unfit to lead the country, etc., etc. It's a pity though; we have a country-size set of Augean Stables that need a good washing out and he would have been up to the task.
posted by longdaysjourney at 12:48 PM on March 10

well, whaddya gonna do.
posted by boo_radley at 12:49 PM on March 10

Human male has sex with human female, other humans who also have sex pass moral judgment; modern civilization preserved!

Human male tells other humans he is upstanding and moral. Other humans are skeptical, having been promised this before.

Human male goes after immoral humans. Other humans become less skeptical, and vote for human male.

Human male turns out to be immoral and not upstanding.

Other humans sigh, for they should have seen this coming.
posted by Remy at 12:49 PM on March 10 [3 favorites]

maybe his wife was cool with it.
posted by brevator at 12:50 PM on March 10

So, sex with a willing adult who is paid fantastically well for it (five grand an HOUR???). What a monster this man must be.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 12:51 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

Human male has sex with human femaleFormer attorney general who pursued, prosecuted, and jailed individuals involved in prostitution rings hypocritacally caught participating in prostitution ring, other humans who also have sex are bothered by hypocricy engaged in by elected officials (particularly those responsible for putting others in jail) pass moral judgment; modern civilization preserved!

Just a couple little edits. Looks pretty good now.
posted by pardonyou? at 12:52 PM on March 10 [4 favorites]

danb writes "He's a demolition derby, baby. A hefty hunk of steaming junk."

Funny thing about that, he sorta looks like James Taylor, too, just enough to make that a strange choice of words.
posted by krinklyfig at 12:52 PM on March 10

I cannot imagine the strength it must require to be a political spouse like Silda Spitzer who has to stand in front of the world looking supportive even though she probably learned only hours earlier that her husband has been boning high-priced hookers.
posted by brain_drain at 12:54 PM on March 10

I don't know a damn thing about this guy but when I saw that it was a heterosexual scandal I knew he was a Democrat.
posted by fleetmouse at 12:54 PM on March 10 [73 favorites]

Well, at least they weren't low-class prostitutes.

...sorry.
posted by Halloween Jack at 12:56 PM on March 10 [5 favorites]

The issue (for me, probably for other people) isn't what he did, it's the hypocrisy. It's Larry Craig-esque.

He spent a lot of time as AG chasing down high profile prostitution rings and moralizing about it.
posted by malphigian at 12:56 PM on March 10

I, for one, am relieved that the FBI is doing everything in its power to crack down on dangerous prostitutes.
posted by dhammond at 12:57 PM on March 10

Human male has sex with human femaleFormer attorney general who pursued, prosecuted, and jailed individuals involved in prostitution rings hypocritaically caught participating in prostitution ring, other humans who also have sex are bothered by hypocricsy engaged in by elected officials (particularly those responsible for putting others in jail) pass moral judgment; modern civilization preserved!

Couple more edits. There you go.
posted by casarkos at 12:58 PM on March 10 [3 favorites]

I can't believe it. I think my faith in politics and politicians, which up till now was intact, is ruined.
posted by From Bklyn at 12:59 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

The issue (for me, probably for other people) isn't what he did, it's the hypocrisy.

Yeah, that is pretty glaring, and I don't know how he could have rationalized it to himself. Then again, I don't know what you get for five grand(!), but I'm willing to bet I could have talked myself into finding out, too.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 12:59 PM on March 10 [4 favorites]

A year ago he had the world at his fingertips. What a fucking loser.
posted by gwint at 1:00 PM on March 10

I wish just once one of these dudes would be linked to a low-class prostitution ring, I got the pager number of this one dude named Rooster and he's down with this sweet lady named Cheyanne and you can hardly tell they're dentures from across the room.
posted by Divine_Wino at 1:00 PM on March 10 [7 favorites]

Talking on the phone no less. One more argument for why politicians need to be watching The Wire.
posted by well_balanced at 1:00 PM on March 10

Former attorney general who pursued, prosecuted, and jailed individuals involved in prostitution rings hypocritacally caught participating in prostitution ring

well, can we posit that there are prostitution rings that operate within ethical standards (Nevada seems to think so) and that there are prostitution rings that operate immorally (the Wire episode w/ the dead hookers in a box springs to mind).

I do believe it is possible to be an ethical John.
posted by brevator at 1:02 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

Five grand, Governor, same as in town.
posted by The Bellman at 1:02 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

TPM has the prosecutor's filings up.
posted by Remy at 1:03 PM on March 10

So if he resigns, will Hillary will still get to keep his superdelegating vote?
posted by jaimev at 1:03 PM on March 10

We can't have hypocrites in office. For example, how could the President faithfully execute laws against drunk driving if he was a drunk driver himself?
posted by mullingitover at 1:03 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]

wow. two independent wire references one post apart. withdrawal must be setting in.
posted by brevator at 1:04 PM on March 10

Slate: Hillary Clinton needs superdelegates, but maybe not this one.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 1:04 PM on March 10

There ... eat it.

See? Easy, wasn't it? Sure, it's a different form, and the buttons are slightly different, but it's not so tough after all.
posted by aramaic at 1:05 PM on March 10

Where did he get the cash?
posted by probablysteve at 1:05 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

I don't find myself particularly outraged, I for one could hardly care less about these sex scandals. I'm certainly surprised, of course, this is the last guy you'd expect to be caught up in something like this.

But, it's not like Spitzer was some kind of crusader for sexual morality. And while it is certainly hypocritical to bust some hookers while busting a nut in others... that really doesn't trigger my outrage filter.

Anyway, it'll be interesting to see if he survives.
posted by delmoi at 1:05 PM on March 10

Why do you assume that the Governor actually had to pay?
posted by R. Mutt at 1:06 PM on March 10

It's good to have Democratic sex scandal again. The Republican ones are creepy.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:07 PM on March 10 [11 favorites]

The fourth entry for Spitzer on Google reads as follows:

March 7, 2008 - Governor Spitzer in New York City announcing $5 million ... Today, in the New York ’s first State of Upstate address, Governor Spitzer laid ...
posted by Ironmouth at 1:07 PM on March 10

Okay, so bets on the NY Post's headline for tomorrow morning?

I'm torn between "Eliot: Phone Hookers" and "Fed Probe: Spitzer Swallowed."

I swear to Christ, you stupid, stupid asshole, unless that blowjob gave you superpowers you are the dumbest motherfucker alive.
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 1:08 PM on March 10 [13 favorites]

NY I present to you David Paterson your new governor as of the end of this week. Legally blind since birth.
posted by humanfont at 1:11 PM on March 10

I do believe it is possible to be an ethical John.

Maybe so, and I don't disagree with you (as an essentially victimless crime, as far as I'm concerned it can be legalized). But I don't think Spitzer as AG was drawing that distinction -- he was enforcing The Law, with the full weight of his office and lofty title behind him. He put people in jail because it was The Law. But he apparently didn't have the same outrage when it came to "busting his own nut" (as delmoi so eloquently put it). And he certainly didn't say anything about marching himself down to the nearest jail in his news conference.
posted by pardonyou? at 1:11 PM on March 10

We need to create a Department of Homeland Promiscuity that avails clean tested working women and men to any public official who needs to get off. Seriously, how much of this crap is used to blackmail politicians? They probably tried to use it the blackmail Spitzer and he said fuck it, I'll just tell the public myself. We need to get off our puritan asses and understand that anyone who would want to go through the humiliation of running for public office is also probably someone who has some pretty kinky sexual fetishes as well. Contain it and maybe we won't have to wonder why the politician we voted for did a 180 and voted against a bill that they said they'd support during their campaign.
posted by any major dude at 1:15 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

Wall Street Blog Spitz’ or Swallow
posted by bustmakeupleave at 1:17 PM on March 10

it is truly unbelievable to watch how quickly he's plummeted since he was elected.

I read that last word as 'erected'. My heart skipped a beat as I hoped, just for a moment, that a member of the Emperor's Club might have been a MeFite, about to dish the dirt.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 1:17 PM on March 10

NY I present to you David Paterson your new governor as of the end of this week. Legally blind since birth.

So not only will he also be New York's first black governor, he won't even know.

Okay, off to hell now.
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 1:18 PM on March 10 [8 favorites]

"Eliot Spitzer's Prostitution Ring" is a bit disingenuous, isn't it?
posted by farmdoggie at 1:19 PM on March 10

Halloween Jack writes "Well, at least they weren't low-class prostitutes."

Remember Marion Barry? One of the most surprising aspects of Marion Barry's arrest was that he was smoking crack. I mean, here's a mayor of the US capital city, and he wants to get high, so can't he get better than rocks off the street? If Spitzer were caught trolling for hookers in some low-rent neighborhood, I bet people would be wondering the about the same thing.
posted by krinklyfig at 1:20 PM on March 10

*munches popcorn*
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 1:21 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

I'm with those whose outrage has little to do with the prostitution, and much more to do with rank hypocrisy: don't crow about busting prostitution rings when you're a customer yourself, jackass.

Also: has he never heard of masturbation? How do people think these things will stay secret these days?
posted by LooseFilter at 1:21 PM on March 10

From the Times:

"Both had glassy, tear-filled eyes, but they did not cry."

That's why they call it the newspaper of record.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 1:22 PM on March 10

Wait, will this affect his superdelegate status? I can't wait to see how Clinton will react.
posted by lunit at 1:23 PM on March 10

And while it is certainly hypocritical to bust some hookers while busting a nut in others... that really doesn't trigger my outrage filter.
posted by delmoi at 1:05 PM on March 10

I literally cannot understand this point of view. It strikes me as something someone would say only if he or she has never had to deal with the police or the courts. Spitzer ruined peoples lives for a victimless crime. He did it for money, and for personal gain, and he used his prosecutions of these people to look like a stand-up guy to the clucking authoritarian hordes who want nothing more than to have a Daddy Figure to rule their lives.

People went to prison for this. People with families and children and real lives, just like yours. And he didn't give a fuck.

And then he went and did exactly what he put people in prison for. Because he doesn't give a fuck about you or me or the public or the system or justice or the people of New York. He did it because all good old Eliot Spitzer wants is power, money, and to get his rocks off. Apparently fucking people is the only thing he's any good at.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 1:23 PM on March 10 [33 favorites]

I can't wait to see how Clinton will react.

She will denounce and reject.
posted by LooseFilter at 1:24 PM on March 10 [10 favorites]

Seriously, what is it with these guys that they can't keep it zipped while they're in office. It's not like they're some quivering 18-year-old.

There will soon be a scientific study proving that holding elective office is a powerful aphrodisiac.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 1:27 PM on March 10

It was quite something to see the AP come out with this scandal headline in the afternoon, when this morning I had read this about Spitzer's plans for the day.
posted by O Blitiri at 1:28 PM on March 10

Ah, the penis. The cause of and solution to all man’s problems.
Helpful safety tip - jerk off first, then rethink the idea.
Hmmm, I’m a married guy with kids with plenty of folks depending on my integrity (including charities) in a high profile job with lotsa political enemies some of whom I’ve used police surveillance and wiretapping to harass.
Should I have sex with high class prostitutes?
Prostitution is perhaps the largest, oldest, and still one of the most effective forms of gathering secret information in the world. (That must be, in part, why it’s still illegal so many places.) You expect discretion from a mercenary? C’mon.
posted by Smedleyman at 1:28 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]

The best part is the copy: 'vivaciously rejuvenating', 'refreshing invigoration'. Apparently these high-class prostitutes are essentially shower gel in a prettier bottle. With a university degree.
posted by sixswitch at 1:28 PM on March 10

Take 1 - Big deal. Someone had sex.

Take 2 - He put people in prison for having sex.

I'm going with take 2. What an asshole.

What is the thought that goes through his head as he's having sex with a prostitute? "Wow, this is a really heinous crime against society right here. People should obviously go to prison for this."
posted by Ragma at 1:28 PM on March 10

Men in such high positions usually have high testosterone levels.
posted by QuietDesperation at 3:33 PM on March 10

Nonsense. People in those positions are committed to one thing only - themselves. Society selects out for only the most intelligent, self-obsessed and sociopathic individuals to rise to this level. Want to balance home and family life? Sorry, you have to be willing to put in the time it takes to win. That donor seems a little sketchy to you, so you returned the money? He gave it to your opponent who gladly took it, now you are twice disadvantaged.

No rule applies to them. The only rules they follow are the ones they haven't worked around. There are no other people in their lives - only extensions of their personality. You cease to serve them and serve at their will, you cease to exist.

Every Wall Street lawsuit this guy fired was an obvious solicitation of money - you donate to my campaigns or I bring the Office of Attorney General down on you. Eliot Spitzer ran the AG's office like he was running a protection racket.

This guy should never have risen this far. I hope this ends his career, but it is more likely that he will take his toxic and ruthless personality behind the scenes where he will continue to destroy what others have built, only this time it will happen away from the spotlight, and from criticism.
posted by Pastabagel at 1:29 PM on March 10 [7 favorites]

It's the busted on the wiretap thing that gets me.

This falls in the "bad judgment" category of "Lindsay Lohan driving herself around." If you're wealthy enough to go "high class" and also a sitting governor, perhaps you could, I don't know, have some lackey order your whores for you.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 1:30 PM on March 10

Eh, "Spitz / Swallows" is too easy. I'm waiting for the headlines riffing on Emperors and no clothes, etc etc.
posted by pineapple at 1:33 PM on March 10

I can't wait to see how Clinton will react.

Who knows, maybe she's ok with it.
posted by R. Mutt at 1:34 PM on March 10

The phrase "high-class prostitutes" has always struck me as somewhat ridiculous.
posted by Miko at 1:37 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

the best reference to a "high-class prostitute"
posted by bustmakeupleave at 1:40 PM on March 10

"Spitz / Swallows" is too easy.

Nothing is too easy for the New York Post.
posted by JaredSeth at 1:41 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]

Why do you assume that the Governor actually had to pay?

Well, assuming he has been correctly identified as Client-9, he was paying cash.

I think he was also asking for unprotected sex, but that's not entirely clear (see #85).
posted by probablysteve at 1:41 PM on March 10

"He spent a lot of time as AG chasing down high profile prostitution rings and moralizing about it.*"

Could it not be said that the supposed immoral nature of prostitution is tied to the, "low class," my pimp beats me, I'm addicted to drugs, I was brought to this country illegally, I'm underage, I cannot escape this hell, type of prostitution... NOT the, "high class," I cannot believe I make this much money, sure that fat dude had bad breath but I only have to work two hours a day, I might be being taken advantage of and reinforcing the patriarchy but no more so than any woman working in the "real world", I cannot believe I just sucked off the governor, type of prostitution. Was he "moralizing" about prostitution, or about the hellish conditions that many a "low class" prostitute has to put up with. I don't see it as hypocrisy, but then again, I think the whole thing should be legalized to limit the "low class" hell outlined above.
posted by pwb503 at 1:41 PM on March 10 [3 favorites]

eople in those positions are committed to one thing only - themselves. Society selects out for only the most intelligent, self-obsessed and sociopathic individuals to rise to this level.

Like Jimmy Carter?
posted by jtron at 1:44 PM on March 10 [6 favorites]

I can't wait to see how Clinton will react.

There's a punchline here, somewhere.
posted by uncleozzy at 1:44 PM on March 10

He had to have known that the corporate kingpins who run America were waiting to bring him down. I'm sure this was a Bush administration hit job, carried out on behalf of Merrill and Morgan and the boys.

Maybe now he'll get a good role on Law and Order. Wanna count the seconds until there is an episode lampooning this event, except that the governor in the show will *kill* the prostitute and be acquitted because he had a cruel mother.

Ba-dum.
posted by fourcheesemac at 1:44 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]

OH NOES! Someone had sex out of Holy wedlock! Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify him!
posted by sfts2 at 1:45 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

But at least he PAID for it. Or so we are hearing.

Hell comes calling, Eliot, if someone else bought the honeys.
posted by fourcheesemac at 1:46 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

I'd like some more info.
I'd like to know a little more about the prostitution rings he busted vs the ones he frequented. Were the girls paid and treated well and able to leave on their own accord or were they held hostage and exploited? If he frequented the former and prosecuted the latter I see no hypocrisy.
Did he prosecute the girls and the johns?
If not I see no hypocrisy.
Did he and his wife have an understanding?
If so I see no hypocrisy.
posted by brevator at 1:46 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]

Sorry, not outraged. Apparently you can be a war criminal and hold the highest office in the land but you can't pay to get your rocks off and be governor of New York State.
posted by bukharin at 1:47 PM on March 10 [9 favorites]

or what pwb said.
posted by brevator at 1:49 PM on March 10

What a shame. I had a lot of respect for Spitzer's work as Attorney General, busting various Wall Street investment banks for their double dealing. I had hopes he'd go far.
posted by Nelson at 1:50 PM on March 10

You'd think he be smart enough to use a prepaid/burner cellphone.
posted by aerotive at 1:56 PM on March 10

(he'd have been)
posted by aerotive at 1:57 PM on March 10

For those who are more curious, here are the caches for model introduction and luxury concierge from the ever-so-classy whorehouse's website.

Here's a quote:

"We specialize in marketing fashion models, pageant winners and exquisite students, graduates and women of successful careers (finance, art, media etc…) to leading gentlemen of the world. Catering to clients who will not compromise in any area of their life."

This idea of "refusing to compromise". The amount of self-entitlement in that phrase is staggering.
posted by mammary16 at 2:01 PM on March 10

People in those positions are committed to one thing only - themselves. Society selects out for only the most intelligent, self-obsessed and sociopathic individuals to rise to this level.

Well, that applies to everyone except Obama, or so his acolytes tell me.
posted by NorthernLite at 2:01 PM on March 10

I literally cannot understand this point of view. It strikes me as something someone would say only if he or she has never had to deal with the police or the courts. Spitzer ruined peoples lives for a victimless crime.

Would it have bothered you less if he were not a hypocrite?
posted by delmoi at 2:02 PM on March 10

I can't wait to see how Clinton will react.

There's a punchline here, somewhere.

Nope, a hed & dek:

"Hillary on Spitz: Bill never paid for it

Former First Lady calls Gov 'less than presidential'"
posted by gompa at 2:03 PM on March 10

The amount of self-entitlement in that phrase is staggering.

Well, you gotta give 'em credit for knowing how to market to their customers...
posted by aramaic at 2:04 PM on March 10

I'd like to present, in advance, the Clintons' reactions. Ah hem.

Hillary: We are shocked and disappointed to learn today of the allegations involving governor Spitzer. My campaign is officially refusing his endorsement and returning any monetary contributions he gave.

Bill: Aw man... you had to pay for it?
posted by rusty at 2:05 PM on March 10

Could it not be said that the supposed immoral nature of prostitution is tied to the, "low class," my pimp beats me, I'm addicted to drugs, I was brought to this country illegally, I'm underage, I cannot escape this hell, type of prostitution... NOT the, "high class,"

That's a good question. Was Spitzer out there busting up human trafficking type prostitution rings, or the "high class" kind he used himself? It may actually be that some prostitution businesses are less moral then others.
posted by delmoi at 2:06 PM on March 10

"The real question," Mrs. Clinton asserted, "is which candidate you want picking up the phone at 3 a.m. . . ."
posted by gompa at 2:06 PM on March 10 [5 favorites]

Damn you gompa.

Also: "pageant winners"! It just keeps getting better.
posted by rusty at 2:07 PM on March 10

The "Eliot Spitzer Show". Lord, it has a ring to it.
posted by phaedon at 2:10 PM on March 10

TSG: Client #9
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 2:16 PM on March 10

You'd think he be smart enough to use a prepaid/burner cellphone.

Thanks for sharing that insight, Stringer.
posted by 1 at 2:16 PM on March 10

Would it have bothered you less if he were not a hypocrite?
posted by delmoi at 2:02 PM on March 10

Of course. We all have different ideas about what should be legal and what should be illegal. I can understand reasonable people disagreeing about such things. But to put someone in prison for something you don't think is a crime is monstrous, unforgiveable. And if it's otherwise - if he believes it to be a crime and to be imooral, but he does it anyway because he is not bound to the rules that the little people are - it is even worse. In a just world, Spitzer would hang for this. But I'll settle for him being hoist by his own petar.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 2:21 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

At least she wasn't a lobbist.
posted by R. Mutt at 2:24 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]

This is too bad. I thought he did good work as AG. It was amazing how quickly he got down in politics once he took the Governor's office though.
posted by grouse at 2:26 PM on March 10

But to put someone in prison for something you don't think is a crime is monstrous, unforgiveable.

Well, that's a good point.

And if it's otherwise - if he believes it to be a crime and to be imooral, but he does it anyway because he is not bound to the rules that the little people are - it is even worse.

But what if he's a Ted Haggard style self-loathing sex addict? He thinks it's immoral, but he can't help himself? That said, Spitzer doesn't seem like the kind of guy who's ever out of control, unlike, say, Bill Clinton.
posted by delmoi at 2:37 PM on March 10

Why are they always prostitution _rings_ and not, say, franchises or empires or branch plants?
posted by binturong at 2:37 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

Pride, man. Anyone paying attention could see ambition bubbling under the crusader, and generally overlook it as a good thing -- a driven crusader, right on.

But ambition and pride are like a performance enhancing drug for some, and I think it must be admitted especially for *many* men (if not most, if not all). Someone's gotta have it in for you -- or you for yourself -- or you have to lose control and hit bottom for it to boomerang on most guys, and even if it does it's just the same old story. As is this really, except you add schadenfreude and jealousy and payback as motives.

Pride and ambition enhance your performance right up until they kill you, boys. We all know it's true, but who among us has not truly risked it all once or twice before and simply gotten away with it because we're schmoes?

You cost the big boys billions, as Eliot did, and you better be made of steel. He wasn't. They usually aren't.

I'm praying Obama has more self-mastery than most of these old school pols. He's going to need it now.

When you think about it, this is a damn good reason to elect Kucinich. Ain't likely going to be much straying there.
posted by fourcheesemac at 2:43 PM on March 10

"Oh boy, fucking! That's where I'm a steamroller."
posted by anazgnos at 2:43 PM on March 10 [6 favorites]

News on the teevee now saying he's resigning at 7:00 PM EST.
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 2:43 PM on March 10

"Why are they always prostitution _rings...?"

Because when the prostitution rings, the call girl answers.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 2:44 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]

Or lust. I forgot lust.

And greed.

Makes sloth look good.
posted by fourcheesemac at 2:44 PM on March 10

The Web site of the Emperors Club VIP displays photographs of scantily clad women with their faces hidden. It also shows hourly rates depending on whether the prostitutes were rated with one diamond, the lowest ranking, or seven diamonds, the highest. The most highly ranked prostitutes cost $5,500 an hour, prosecutors said.

$5,500 an hour? I'd say that's a lot more than a govenor makes.
posted by 445supermag at 2:51 PM on March 10

Maybe a lobbyist was paying for it?
posted by Chuckles McLaughy du Haha, the depressed clown at 2:55 PM on March 10

"Or lust. I forgot lust.

And greed.

Makes sloth look good."

I believe Sloth is one of the "one diamond" girls
posted by Bighappyfunhouse at 2:56 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]

"I can't wait to see how Clinton will react."

"Who knows, maybe she's ok with it."

Some would have you believe she's not much more than a high-class whore herself.

NOTE: Opinions expressed are the property of their owners, and not the commenter's. I'm just pointing out what's in the press.
posted by Eideteker at 2:57 PM on March 10

Looks like most of the women only made about 500 an hour (not sure whether that is pounds, euros, or dollars) with the bulk of the payment going to the Club and 50% to the management. One prospective employee said that was way too little for her to consider "it".
posted by arnicae at 2:59 PM on March 10

Is it wrong that, as a new york resident, my first thought was "$5000 an hour?? how much are we PAYING HIM?"
posted by Kellydamnit at 3:04 PM on March 10

Why do the hookers at the Emperors Club move so slowly?

They have governors on them.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:07 PM on March 10 [31 favorites]

Ok, assuming that he didn't dedicate his time to going after other people for prostitution related crimes, and thus falling afoul of my hypocrisy meter, what would have been great was if he had come out, calmly approached the podium, cleared his throat and raised his hand for silence, then with nothing but the quite clicks of digital cameras documenting everything, he had said,

"Ladies and gentlemen of the press, until you have spent the night with a truly skilled professional in the erotic trades, you have not fully appreciated sex with another person. I've taken the things that this fine woman taught me, and brought them to bear in my own personal relationship with my wife. This has brought us closer than we have been in the last 20 years of marriage. I can say, without compunction, this this was the finest money I have ever spent, and I fully encourage all of you to consider this as a gift to your spouse."

After which he smiles, waves to the crowd, and walks off-stage.

I suspect that the entirety of the United States would have had a collective freak out. It would have been fantastic.
posted by quin at 3:07 PM on March 10 [23 favorites]

"I swear to Christ, you stupid, stupid asshole, unless that blowjob gave you superpowers you are the dumbest motherfucker alive."

Dude, it was a Prostitution Ring. Forged by the Guardians of the Pooniverse and granted only to those who possess great will (but maybe not so great willpower).

"In brightest day, in blackest night,
no hooker shall escape my sight.
Let those who can't pay attorneys to fight
beware my power
and my gubernatorial light!"
posted by Eideteker at 3:07 PM on March 10 [3 favorites]

I'd say that's a lot more than a govenor makes.

He made almost $2m in 2006.
posted by cell divide at 3:09 PM on March 10

He had to have known that the corporate kingpins who run America were waiting to bring him down. I'm sure this was a Bush administration hit job, carried out on behalf of Merrill and Morgan and the boys.

You cost the big boys billions, as Eliot did, and you better be made of steel. He wasn't.

I can't tell if you're being serious, fourcheesemac. Are you suggesting that this was some sort of sting, or set up? Maybe that someone pointed him towards Emporer's Club's website and influenced him to shell out thousands of dollars (including being apparently short on his "credit" to the point he wondered aloud whether he could go to a bank in time to give the escort some extra money as an advance on his next appointment)? Are you for real?
posted by pardonyou? at 3:10 PM on March 10

$5,500 an hour? I'd say that's a lot more than a govenor makes.
posted by 445supermag at 2:51 PM on March 10

His government salary is $179,000. The only higher paid Governor is California's, except that Arnold actually declines his salary.

The Spitzer family is also pretty wealthy.
posted by ben242 at 3:12 PM on March 10

The Smoking Gun has the details up now, "client 9" paid $2600 plus another $1500 to leave a balance for next time. The girl was told to expect something "unsafe".
posted by 445supermag at 3:19 PM on March 10

I can understand reasonable people disagreeing about such things. But to put someone in prison for something you don't think is a crime is monstrous, unforgiveable.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 2:21 PM on March 10 [1 favorite +] [!]

So in your opinion, police, judges, prosecutors, attorney generals, etc should all refuse to work for the war on drugs if they object to the law? If you smoke a joint at home, can you never put on your uniform and arrest a dealer? And what of those who believe a drug (or prostitution) war is righteous, can they continue to persecute their own citizenry with impunity, without fear of being called a hypocrite? Just trying to wrap my head around this moral crusade here.

There is a huge difference between a hypocritical legislator, upon which whose principles we depend on to guide the direction of government, and the judiciary and the executive, upon whom we actually place the unusual demand of leaving their principles at home and following the letter of the law. Now, as a private citizen, I certainly agree with you - it is our duty to break an unjust law - but if you are a professional whose duty it is to enforce or prosecute the law, then I cannot fairly accuse you of hypocrisy for separating your private and public lives.

Having said all that, if it can be demonstrated that Spitzer used prosecutorial discretion to persecute those engaged in prostitution (say that three times fast) for personal reasons, then maybe there's some foundation for outrage here. But otherwise, save it.
posted by mek at 3:21 PM on March 10

"The girl was told to expect something 'unsafe'."

He showed up in a Corvair?
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:24 PM on March 10 [10 favorites]

From Salon: "Also, NY1, a television station in New York City, reports that the floor of the New York Stock Exchange erupted in cheers when the news broke."
posted by The Card Cheat at 3:28 PM on March 10

fucking hell. I had high hopes for him.

but not all is lost. jerry springer is getting old and that slot needs to be kept filled.
posted by krautland at 3:29 PM on March 10

They have governors on them.

He showed up in a Corvair?

Good ones, crash. Did they come to you automatically?

Anyway, we have here another example of the dangers of hubris. There goes my hope for a future Feingold/Spitzer ticket. It's getting so you just can't pick out the dumbfucks without a scorecard.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 3:33 PM on March 10

much like a Corvair passenger, m_c_d is on fire here.
posted by Challahtronix at 3:33 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

that slot needs to be kept filled

Just the job for Spitzer!
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 3:34 PM on March 10

Here's what mystifies me: he, of all people, transported a woman across state lines for the purposes of prostitution? Was he trying to make this a federal case that Bush's politicized Justice Department could prosecute? WTF, Spitzer?
posted by nicwolff at 3:35 PM on March 10

pardonyou? writes "I can't tell if you're being serious, fourcheesemac. Are you suggesting that this was some sort of sting, or set up? Maybe that someone pointed him towards Emporer's Club's website and influenced him to shell out thousands of dollars (including being apparently short on his 'credit' to the point he wondered aloud whether he could go to a bank in time to give the escort some extra money as an advance on his next appointment)? Are you for real?"

Well, in the case where he takes someone down, that person can have dirt dug up on him and hit him where he's weakest. If he's already frequenting a prostitute, that's the perfect way to get rid of him, and you can do it with anonymous tips not even naming him, just enough to get the ball rolling on a criminal investigation, and it will take him down with it. I'm not saying it went down that way, but it's not uncommon for "favors" to be repaid.
posted by krinklyfig at 3:41 PM on March 10

Also, NY1, a television station in New York City, reports that the floor of the New York Stock Exchange erupted in cheers when the news broke."

This truly is 1929 all over again isn't it
posted by any major dude at 3:45 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]

BUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

He better not resign. This is comedy gold and if he resigns the ride will end too soon.
posted by a3matrix at 3:47 PM on March 10

the floor of the New York Stock Exchange erupted in cheers

well yeah. that's long been hardcore republican territory.
posted by krautland at 3:50 PM on March 10

I cannot fairly accuse you of hypocrisy for separating your private and public lives.

Because "we were just following orders" has traditionally gone over so well, eh?
posted by JaredSeth at 3:52 PM on March 10

"The girl was told to expect something "unsafe"."

Prostitute while married+"unsafe" makes me think his wife isn't interested in anal.
posted by klangklangston at 3:58 PM on March 10

First it became clear we were going to keep our senator, now this.

New York politics give me a headache.
posted by munchingzombie at 4:01 PM on March 10

“Men in such high positions usually have high testosterone levels.”

That’s no excuse. You could float an aircraft carrier with the testosterone in my body and I only want to make love to my wife.
If his wife was cool with it, whole other thing. Not my thing, but I don’t throw those kinds of stones. Some folks are monogamous, some aren’t.

“Did he and his wife have an understanding?
If so I see no hypocrisy.”

So the message to Children for Children is - volunteer, get involved in the community and you too can grow up to blow the governor for money?

I’m not outraged here, he’s got to enforce the law whether he’s for it or ag’in it, but clearly he made selfish decisions when people depended on him.

There’s a story about Audie Murphy, he got hooked on sleeping pills and was looking to kill himself because he couldn’t sleep, had nightmares, depression, etc. People talked to him about throwing away his career, family, all that, he didn’t care, he just wanted to die (if you’ve ever been that deep in the dark, you don’t give a damn about anything, and this man was not exactly a coward).

So, a buddy of his said - what about the other guys, going through the same thing as you? You’re not some boy from Greenville anymore you’re Audie Murphy and everyone knows you. So what does you killing yourself say to them?
So he broke the silence (in U.S. culture) about talking about “shell-shock” as it was known and started letting people know he suffered from PSTD.

But that’s what it comes down to. You either recognize and take responsibility for the power and influence you have or you don’t. Good leaders fall into the former category. It’s why officers customarily eat after the enlisted men have been served, recognition of the responsibility you have for them.

Morality, hypocracy all the other stuff - matter of opinion as to how bad or if, or whatever. Other people do it too, yeah, and worse, yeah ok.
But the fact of the matter is Spitzer sought power and influence, but refused to accept the responsibility that comes with it.

Common story really. Too common.
posted by Smedleyman at 4:16 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]

Okay, so bets on the NY Post's headline for tomorrow morning?

"Spitzer Nails* Prostitutes, Feds Nail Spitzer"

"Spitz's Been a Bad, Baaad Boy"

* fingers, etc.
posted by Eideteker at 4:22 PM on March 10

What I want to know is why aren't all escort services busted as prostitution rings?
posted by dasheekeejones at 4:22 PM on March 10

I'm not usually a tin-foil hat-wearer, but after reading the Total Information Awareness mach 2 thread and looking at the timeline and unknown source of this, it seems fishy (and keep in mind I 100% think Spitzer did it).

The FBI's investigation into the ring began in October and they probably had enough information to shut the place down at that time for prostitution and money laundering. But they instead decide to get a warrant for a wiretap and collect all emails from January to early February, and when that warrant expires they renew it, and finally at that point they get Spitzer on the phone? In these things don't they usually raid the place and seize the records, not run a 2-month long wiretap investigation?

To me it looks like somehow they knew Spitzer would eventually call, that's what they were waiting for so that they could nail him.
posted by Challahtronix at 4:29 PM on March 10

Okay, so bets on the NY Post's headline for tomorrow morning?

If he resigns? SPITZ SPLITS, perhaps.

More on this important issue.
posted by punishinglemur at 4:30 PM on March 10

He was not involved in a "prostitution ring" - he was employing the services of a prostitute. Just as a drug user who buys drugs from a dealer is not involved in a "drug ring," though the dealer might be. "Ring" refers to the enterprise. Spitzer was not an investor, just a customer.
posted by QuietDesperation at 4:34 PM on March 10

ABC: The federal investigation of a New York prostitution ring was triggered by Gov. Eliot Spitzer's suspicious money transfers, initially leading agents to believe Spitzer was hiding bribes, according to federal officials.
posted by R. Mutt at 4:36 PM on March 10

"Okay, so bets on the NY Post's headline for tomorrow morning?"

On Your Mark, Spitz, Go!
posted by mr_crash_davis at 4:51 PM on March 10

Dammit, XQUZYPHYR, I couldn't wait to get home and post my top five candidates for NY Post headlines. I'll post anyway.

5. Feds: Emperor, Elliot, No Clothes

4. Elliot's Mess

3. Teddy Roosevelt: Speak Softly and Carry A Big Stick
Spitzer: Whisper Sweet Nothings and Whip Out Your Dick

2. Pilgrims Weren't The Only Ones Who Came In The Mayflower

1. Spitzer Swallows?
posted by Frank Grimes at 4:52 PM on March 10

I've seen reports that what he's actually going to be prosecuted for is colloquially known as "Smurfing".
posted by Class Goat at 5:02 PM on March 10

Spitzer Swallows?

DAMN.

that would make for a nice item on a letterman-list.
posted by krautland at 5:06 PM on March 10

Kirth Gerson: "There will soon be a scientific study proving that holding elective office is a powerful aphrodisiac."

Test Subject #1
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:17 PM on March 10

Prostitute while married+"unsafe" makes me think his wife isn't interested in anal.

My thoughts precisely, Klang.

I have to say, I'm also reserving judgement until I know more about the whorehouses he was closing. If they were mobbed up shops that were relying on coerced women who have been trafficked against their will, that's a very different kettle of fish to someone paying $5k for the intro, and possibly as much as another $5k for the actual action itself, and I wouldn't have a problem with anyone doing both simultaneously.

As for the what it means between him and his wife, well, that's between the two of them and none of my Goddamn business, but:

As recently as this past Valentine's Day, Feb. 13, Spitzer, who officials say is identified in a federal complaint as "Client 9," arranged for a prostitute "Kristen" to meet him in Washington, D.C.

I bet he gets his ass kicked for this one.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 5:17 PM on March 10

Elliot Spitzer is a Hillary supporter, but Clinton surrogates already using Spitzer scandal -- to smear Brack Obama.
posted by orthogonality at 5:18 PM on March 10

Valentine's Day is Feb. 14.
posted by mr_roboto at 5:25 PM on March 10

I'm just amazed at the name of the agency: The Emporers Club? That's fucking chutzpah. Other than that? None of my business, although I suppose New York was overdue for something like this.
posted by jonmc at 5:27 PM on March 10

What I want to know is why aren't all escort services busted as prostitution rings?

Such a good question. Anyone know?

The grammar on the Emperor's Club site is wonderfully awful. A "Spokes Model"?

Tid bits from the New York Times site: A Comment Buffet.
posted by nickyskye at 5:28 PM on March 10

I don't know a damn thing about this guy but when I saw that it was a heterosexual scandal I knew he was a Democrat.
posted by fleetmouse at 12:54 PM on March 10 [48 favorites +]

Ha ha! Pathetic.

Speaking of pathetic.

"Man screws prostitutes, therefore he should not have been chasing us greedy thievin' Wall Street scumbags. The two crimes are equal." That's the disturbing theme I'm getting from some sources, such as http://dealbreaker.com/.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 5:33 PM on March 10

I'm also curious as to who Clients 1 through 8 were. Also, I'm quite frankly amazed that Spitzer had to pay or it. Isn't power supposed to be the ultimate aphrodisiac?
posted by jonmc at 5:37 PM on March 10

Isn't power supposed to be the ultimate aphrodisiac?

You know that advanced doggy style position, where the woman is on a piece of furniture, and the fella has one foot on the ground, and one foot perched much higher up?

I sure hope he used that position that would be cool.
posted by uncanny hengeman at 5:44 PM on March 10 [1 favorite]

The man who would be king.

You motherfucking idiot. You could have been the goddamned president. But no, you had to go fucking prostitutes in your own fucking state?! What kind of fucking moron governor breaks the laws in his own state? Christ, five-large could have gotten you a trip to Thailand, where you could have had all the sweet ass you wanted. Or Amsterdam. Shit, you could have flown to Nevada and had some fine legal fucking. But no, you dumbass motherfucker. You had to let us all down.

Anyone who holds public office that knowingly gives Republicans, vile lizard-brained bastards that they are, the opportunity to take the moral high-ground should be immediately defenestrated from the closest plate-glass window. You stupid motherfucker. Now we're going to have to listen to a bunch of Republican pedophiles tsk-tsk-ing and sadly shaking their heads in mock disbelief, all the while talking about how he should step down For the Good of the Office. Because, you know, illegal wiretaps, state-sanctioned torture, and the wholesale massacre of a generation of American soldiers... that's fine and dandy as long as you ain't using your dick like God intended.

ARGH. IDIOT.

Next thing someone's going to tell me that Paul Krugman got busted for shoplifting.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:52 PM on March 10 [12 favorites]

When did Spitzer focus on going after prostitution? He went after Wall Street scammers and inside traders, which I guess you could say is a form of prostitution, but it's a stretch. But that's why Wall Street cheered-- not because they have anything against men and whores.

As a prosecutor, presumably you would have to take the cases the police bring you that are winnable-- but I have to say in all the coverage I've seen of him over the years, I've never seen anything about him focusing his office on investigating and busting hookers.

What pisses me off is that he promised to reform the Rockefeller drug laws and made a big deal during the campaign about how unjust they are (which is great coming from a prosecutor: their intransigence about losing sentencing power back to judges was a big obstacle to change)-- but then sat on his butt once he got to Albany and didn't change them.
posted by Maias at 5:53 PM on March 10

Are you for real?
posted by pardonyou?

Oh, absolutely. And if you think there's no payback factor here, you don't know politics.

He needn't have been lured into it. All he had to do was act like he wouldn't get caught.
posted by fourcheesemac at 5:53 PM on March 10

Just legalize and regulate it already, morons. Sheesh.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 5:55 PM on March 10

Also...

What the fuck was the FBI doing investigating prostitution rings when there's all them domestic terrorists they should be locking up?

This whole thing stinks of set-up. But still... what a class-A jag-off.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:55 PM on March 10

he promised to reform the Rockefeller drug laws and made a big deal during the campaign about how unjust they are (which is great coming from a prosecutor: their intransigence about losing sentencing power back to judges was a big obstacle to change)-- but then sat on his butt once he got to Albany and didn't change them.

A poltician who makes promises to get elected that he then disregards??

I have some news for you about Santa Claus. You may want to sit down.
posted by jonmc at 5:57 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]

I would have loved for his wife to step up to the microphone and say something like "Our sex life has, for personal and private reasons, died a quiet death these past few years. I knew about and condoned his activities that night. However, he did lie to me about how much he spent."
posted by papercake at 6:12 PM on March 10 [3 favorites]

Lame.
posted by billypilgrim at 6:19 PM on March 10

Jerry Springer paid hookers by check. So, y’know, not the dumbest move ever, but....
posted by Smedleyman at 6:29 PM on March 10

Let's recount what we know: There are wiretaps everywhere in America (without warrant), all information is being sifted, stored and contextualized against other data, the administration has an enemies list and has gone after other Democratic governors, Spitzer made a ton of enemies and in the end his hubris and lack of judgment brought him here.

Let us remember that this administration was set to shut down the internet porn industry--but--9/11 happened. So they had to switch course and "fight terrorism" but now, they have picked up the morality issue before the next election.

Hell, they must have all the evidence that they need. Terabits of data that need to be sifted through. All they need is time to figure it out. And, well, it appears that they have done so in this case. **Question: Can the government collect data on you but never use it? Never "unseal" the phone conversations, email, IM, etc and thusly, never violate your right to privacy?**

This is payback, plain and simple. You think that the corporations would let him continue on the path he is on without at least one, solid beatdown? Never.

I feel like a lunatic writing this...

Where's my beer?
posted by zerobyproxy at 6:30 PM on March 10

Metafilter: You could float an aircraft carrier with the testosterone in my body
posted by lukemeister at 6:39 PM on March 10

The Huffington Post story has a relevant Google ad:

Eliot
Know Before You Go. Read Reviews from Real Travelers.
www.TripAdvisor.com

I thought TripAdvisor just covered hotels.
posted by lukemeister at 6:49 PM on March 10

What the fuck was the FBI doing investigating prostitution rings when there's all them domestic terrorists they should be locking up?

The ABC story indicates that the money laundering alert system (established to combat organized crime, drug crimes, and, yes, terrorism) picked up on Spitzer's large transfers of money. The FBI's political corruption cops looked into it, suspecting bribery, and found this. So the FBI wasn't investigating the prostitution ring; they were investigating suspicious transactions.

It should not come as a surprise that banks report suspicious transactions to the feds. This has been the case for a long time. Kind of strange that Spitzer, of all people, missed this angle.
posted by mr_roboto at 6:55 PM on March 10

Quick, someone make a map of Spitzer's hos, with area codes...
posted by Schmucko at 6:55 PM on March 10 [4 favorites]

My take on why people in public office seem to be drawn to such things is that separating from your partner is political suicide. So people that ordinarily would have drifted apart and divorced end up staying together for the sake of appearances. They can't be seen having an affair so these guys end up going the private, discreet route, and this is where it all hits the fan.
posted by zeoslap at 7:00 PM on March 10

casarkos:
hypocricy!, the fighting call of the new faux liberal rabble. AS DA, Spitzer actually prosecuted prostitution rings! Yeah? And if not that, and if we had learned instead that his taste for high class whores had actually led him to let such rings slide? Favoritism!

So, enjoy the show! Better yet, grab your stones, hypocrite ...
posted by farmdoggie at 7:11 PM on March 10

Maias, there is such a thing as "prosecutorial discretion." We saw one side of this coin when Spitzer deliberately went after particular categories of crime while New York's AG. The FBI and DoJ are doing something similar in targeting terrorism, money laundering, and political corruption at the expense of other targets (and Spitzer probably got caught in a routine political corruption dragnet, so angst about invasion of privacy is entirely misplaced here).

The other side of the coin is that prosecutors don't actually have to bring charges against anyone. A prosecutor can decline to press charges--or not--on the cases brought to him by the police for any number of reasons. There are certainly illegitimate reasons for doing this, e.g. protecting favored individuals or groups, but there are many legitimate reasons as well, e.g. a prosecutor may decline to prosecute an entire class of misdemeanors if he's swamped with felonies.

Refusing to prosecute glaring offenses can have political consequences, as prosecutors are either directly politically accountable or answer to people who are, so most prosecutors bring charges most of the time. It's kind of what they do. But the state can decline to bring or unilaterally drop charges against anyone at any time for any reason or no reason at all.

Constitutionally, the prosecutorial power has always been viewed as an essential part of Executive power, so there isn't any way Congress can order the President to prosecute a particular case. As the states all observe the same basic separation of powers arrangement, this is largely true for state legislatures and governors as well.
posted by valkyryn at