U.S. Defends Tough Tactics On Spitzer

[SecularMotion]

Source: NY Times

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department used some of its most intrusive tactics against Eliot Spitzer, examining his financial records, eavesdropping on his phone calls and tailing him during its criminal investigation of the Emperor’s Club prostitution ring.

The scale and intensity of the investigation of Mr. Spitzer, then the governor of New York, seemed on its face to be a departure for the Justice Department, which aggressively investigates allegations of wrongdoing by public officials, but almost never investigates people who pay prostitutes for sex.

A review of recent federal cases shows that federal prosecutors go sparingly after owners and operators of prostitution enterprises, and usually only when millions of dollars are involved or there are aggravating circumstances, like human trafficking or child exploitation.

Government lawyers and investigators defend the expenditure of resources on Mr. Spitzer in the Emperor’s Club V.I.P. case as justifiable and necessary since it involved the possibility of criminal wrongdoing by New York’s highest elected official, who had been the state’s top prosecutor.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/21/nyregion/21justice.ht...

[laylah]

1. Well then

use some of those "tough tactics" on Cheney (D.C. Madam's list) and "Diaper-loving" Vitter, why don't they?

[Doctor_J]

2. "After all he is a Democrat, and a dangerous one at that" continued the DoJ

"A Republican who kills his assistant will probably get his own TV show, one who frequents prostitutes gets a standing ovation, and one who solicits gay sex in public restrooms is left alone. You want fairness? Get your own media and Justice Department"

[Supersedeas]

3. NY's highest elected official and a Democrat

[slackmaster]

4. And as such he deserves to be held strictly accountable for his behavior

We don't need that kind of crap in our party.

[polmaven]

6. I could not agree more!

His sex life and the condition of his marriage are none of our business.

The hypocrisy of his pushing so vocally and forcefully to toughen penalties regarding prostitution, while all the while spending $80+K to engage in that very behavior, then it becomes our business.

I don't live in NY, but I am a member of the Democratic Party, and his hypocrisy gives us all a bad name, IMHO.

[fascisthunter]

7. We Know That.... But We Don't Need Republicans

abusing their powers either.

Thanks for your concern.

[Wizard777]

5. So what they are trying real hard not to say is that it was a political prosecution

Let me guess. Along with prostitution investigations. They don't do political prosecutions either. They can either investigate Spitzer or the continuing criminal enterprize also known as the Bush Administration. Soooooo who investigates the FBI for Corruption?

[defendandprotect]

8. It would be interesting to see all the details of watching Spitzer -- and the bill --- !!!

[Massachusetts]

9. If playing "hide the weenie" one must be prepared to pay.....

[Irishonly]

10. No Surprise

Republicans, no matter what law they break, make mistakes. Their cronies and their base will protect them, no matter what. Now to most republicans a democrat jaywalking has put the country at risk and must be taken down by any means at their disposal.