A witch hunt?: "U.S. prosecutors examining Spitzer's campaign funds"

[KeepItReal]

"Federal prosecutors are investigating whether Governor Eliot Spitzer used campaign funds in connection with his meetings with prostitutes, including payments for hotels or ground transportation, three people with knowledge of the investigation said.

Prosecutors have asked the governor's lawyers about the travel arrangements for three trips, including his Feb. 13 rendezvous with a prostitute at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington. The United States attorney's office in New York has also asked about the governor's use of car services during trips to Washington.

The governor's lawyers have begun consulting with a campaign finance expert who has long worked for Spitzer's political organization to see whether campaign funds were spent on the trips, including some as recently as last month, a person briefed on the investigation said."

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/14/america/14spitzer.php


Comment:

I though Spitzer was *RICH*!?!

1) Why would/should he need to use any money other than his own to pay for the "services"?

2) And how is sending an ACH *out* of his own bank account to a place of business "accepting a bribe"? Wouldn't a bribe be suspicious money going *into* his checking account? His bank's role in this is fishy at best.

3) If the Feds (AKA Bush & Co's U.S. Attorney) had a real case, why are they looking for sh*t like "did he use campaign money on his tryst?"

This smells like hit job... Raise enough of a scandal to get the guy to quit, then no substantive crime is found/prosecuted.

(edited for spelling)

[cornermouse]

1. I think Spitzer falls under the "message sent" column.

If they can get dirt him, in this case cheating on his wife, they can get dirt on anyone.

[KeepItReal]

2. Wonder what really came first...the wiretaps on him, or the bank ratting him out?

just a question

[ShaneGR]

8. Here's the timeline....

Bank notices unusual transactions involving transfers to shell companies.

Bank reports this to IRS.

IRS reports this to FBI.

FBI investigates with approval from Attorney General of US. Only then does FBI wiretap.

FBI thinks they are handling routine corruption case. Stumbles across prostitution. Not just $5000, more like $80k over the last year. Numerous visits in NY and across state lines.

The bottom line is, Spitzer was a fucking moron and an embarressment to us all. Glad he's gone and I hope he does jail time too.

[Sal Minella]

3. Why aren't we reading about Clients "One" through "Eight?"

Who are they? Republicans, one assumes?

[Hugabear]

7. One thing they're not - prominent Democrats

n/t

[Sal Minella]

12. Or perhaps they are prominent Democrats who will NOW adhere slavishly to whatever the Repub agenda

dictates.....Fear being the great motivator that it is.

[ShaneGR]

4. He made his career via ruthless prosecution.......

The second even one dollar left his hands to knowingly do something illegal, he was screwed.

[KeepItReal]

5. Agreed. He did get himself into this mess.

What a waste.

[Oleladylib]

6. Absolutely true

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

10. My hunch...

One of the high-powered Wall Street types that Spitzer prosecuted was probably using the same service. A little pillow talk between the john and the prostitute, and suddenly he's got information that can take down his bete noir.

I don't know if it's true, but I wouldn't be surprised if that turns out to be the case.

[Sal Minella]

11. Quite possible. Or somewhere between "possible" and "likely." Or "quite likely."

If it's true that Roger Stone knew about this ahead of time, we know it stinks.

[enfield collector]

9. live by the sword, die by the sword. Just because he had a D after

his name does not meen he's a nice person.

[Hannah Bell]

13. maybe not. but he was a person prosecuting financial crime.

sorely needed.