Eliot Spitzer D-NY involved in a prostitution ring

[GoldieAZ49]

He told his senior staff

will have a press conference any minute


DAMN!

[4dsc]

1. what does this have to do with the primaries??

[Yurovsky]

123. Not much ...

but 90% of the posts on GDP don't either, so ...

[blogslut]

Involved or indicting?

?

[wndycty]

2. To tie this in with GD: Primaries. . .was he a Clinton super delegate?

:kick:

[blm]

Yes. Sad about this, though.

Personally, I think it should be legalized. And I say that as a feminist .

[Stephanie]

6. Absolutely. Big Clinton supporter, as was every NY machine politico.

[Johnny__Motown]

31. Most people don't understand the NY machine. I don't even bring it up anymore

[Stephanie]

40. Believe me I do

I've seen it in action up close and personal.

[Johnny__Motown]

45. I think that is one of the main reasons Clinton ended up Sen. there. just to use that machine

[JVS]

126. Has she denounced and rejected his support?

[Cali_Democrat]

3. Is he a super delegate? nt

[GoldieAZ49]

25. yes he is a Super Delegate n/t

[vi5]

4. What the hell is this all about?

"Involved"? In what way. This is going to be interesting, but damn is this weird.

[ProSense]

5. Spitzer Is Linked to Prostitution Ring

Spitzer Is Linked to Prostitution Ring

By DANNY HAKIM
Published: March 10, 2008

ALBANY - Gov. Eliot Spitzer has informed his most senior administration officials that he had been involved in a prostitution ring, an administration official said this morning.

Mr. Spitzer, who was huddled with his top aides early this afternoon, had hours earlier abruptly canceled his scheduled public events for the day. He is set to make an announcement about 2:15 this afternoon at his Manhattan office.

Mr. Spitzer, a first-term Democrat who pledged to bring ethics reform and end the often seamy ways of Albany, is married with three children.

Just last week, federal prosecutors arrested four people in connection with an expensive prostitution operation. Administration officials would not say that this was the ring with which the governor had become involved.

more

[blm]

18. Not hard to figure the feds are involved BECAUSE Dem districts are being targeted.

They know call girl rings are EVERYWHERE, and what better pursuit to mount than those in heavily Dem leaning cities and areas?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

33. There is no spin.

Questioning legitimacy of the law as a former AG is why others bitch when they're tossed in jail.

:thumbsdown:

[blm]

51. I know. But I know plenty of callgirls, and know how MANY powerful men use them

regularly over the decades, and some even are in the WH right now.

THAT was my point.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

74. No doubt.

But don't run on ethics if you're a John. And a former AG. And a "political riser." x(

I agree that prostitution is a personal choice...on both sides. Pointing out that the economics of that decision are heavily tilted against the women involved in that "transaction."

The "Family Values" Johns need to be outed.

[Yurovsky]

78. How did you get to know them?

Just curious ... :spank:

[blm]

130. Started out as friends with a bit actress and pretty soon came to know more of her friends

and they were not much different than anyone else trying to make it in LA. At one point, though, I started working with a volunteer group to bring girls OUT of that life. But, I personally think it should be legalized and treated in some sort of health benefit way. Kind of like a no shame sex therapist.

[NeedleCast]

81. This justifies the behavior, how, exactly?

We should hold our own to the highest standards. If Spizer is involved, targeted or not, he should be punished.

[no_hypocrisy]

20. It appears to me that republicans got a hold of this information

(wire-tapping phones, private detectives, etc.) and were ready to go public with it, and Spitzer had no choice but to beat them to the punch. And what looks worse is his record as NYS attorney general that preceded his ascent to the governorship.

[GoldieAZ49]

27. wasn't he the former attorney general for NY also?

[lolamio]

7. Ugh. Please tell me this is a joke? n/t

[GoldieAZ49]

21. no joke, but a real shocker! press conference coming up n/t

[zonkers]

8. Thanks, Spitzer for stealing Obama's Monday morning thunder. Sigh.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

44. NY. Hillary supporter.

Wrong thought.

[GoldieAZ49]

9. Governors are Super D's I am going to look it up on the list

[GoldieAZ49]

13. Yes he is a Super Delegate or was

he will have to step down and out now

[thewiseguy]

10. What does he mean by being involved in this ring?

[zonkers]

11. Maybe he was the "pimp"?

nt

[Adelante]

54. According to the article above, a client nt

[yardwork]

12. Also see thread in LBN

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3218984&mesg_id=3218984

[DUyellow]

14. subtract 1 super delagate from Clinton

[angie_love]

15. Um what the hell does that mean exactly? I read the NYT piece and it was really confusing!!

[blogslut]

16. Jesus!

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/what-is-the-fallout-for-spitzer/

Danny Hakim of The Times is reporting that Gov. Eliot Spitzer has informed his most senior administration officials that he had been involved in a prostitution ring, an administration official said this morning. The governor is expected to make a statement this afternoon at his Manhattan office.

Born on June 10, 1959, in Riverdale, the Bronx, Mr. Spitzer graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School. He was a federal law clerk and an assistant district attorney in Manhattan before working in private practice. He ran unsuccessfully for attorney general in 1994 before winning the office on his second try, in 1998. His runs for attorney general were financed in part through his family’s fortune; his father, Bernard Spitzer, is a prominent real estate developer.
Eliot Spitzer married Silda Wall on Oct. 17, 1987. They have three children: Alyssa, 18, Sarabeth, 15, and Jenna, 13.

Mr. Spitzer, a Democrat, came into office as New York’s 58th governor promising a fresh start in Albany and sweeping ethics reforms, but his first year in office was, by all accounts, tumultuous. His administration was marred by his aides’ use of State Police records to try to discredit the State..

[karynnj]

84. This is sad - especially with three teen daughters

He really had an ethic reformer reputation. He was known for things like investigating the mob.

[jakem]

17. sounds like he was the John

[GoldieAZ49]

39. $5500 per hour - no details yet on 'how' he was involved

[jakem]

57. 5500 per hour?! now THAT is criminal.

he was investigating perhaps?

[BigDaddy44]

58. $5500 per HOUR?????

I hope he got more than sex for that much money. What else were they doing? His taxes? Painting his house?

[catgirl]

112. That's not entirely correct

$1000-$5500 depending on services.

[meow mix]

116. wow, thats some "high-end"

}(

[EmilyAnne]

19. Why, why, why? What a doofus. Couldn't he just screw around legally? Why do these men, who have

the money and status to attract someone without having to pay for it, enjoy doing this? In my opinion, they get off on the fact that a woman seems to be degrading herself. She is in a horrible financial situation and who knows what sort of life story she has that has brought her to prostitution, but, goody for him! He gets laid!

[Colobo]

26. Prostitution should be legal. It's sex between two consenting adults

in exchange of money or other goods. Big deal.

[EmilyAnne]

41. It should be legal, yes, but its not. The fact that it is still illegal creates a very dangerous

situation for sex workers. I've worked with immigrant sex workers from Russia and former Soviet nations. The physical abuse, the lack of health care and the prevalence of disease is astounding. If prostitution is legalized, that may very well change. But as it stands, these men and women live pretty miserable lives.

[Colobo]

52. I agree with you, although I personally know

people that have been "escorts" in the past who didn't have it that bad, but they were Americans... they were not sex slaves as many Asian and Eastern European people are...

[EmilyAnne]

64. I see your point. I still think that legalizing it would improve the lives of even the lowest paid

prostitutes. Its a loaded topic for me, of course, because I happened to work with some of the lowest level sex workers, but a lot of them had been elite workers. They get old, they can't pull in the money and they start sliding rapidly down the pay scale. Then they have to compromise more and more, endangering themselves more and more.

[JVS]

127. Of all the people who should be arrested for this, the hypocritical law-makers who keep it illegal..

are #1.

[woolldog]

47. Those women who were in such a horrible situation

were paid $5,500 an hour according to the news.

Would that I could be "exploited" like that!

[Colobo]

60. 5K for an hour??? I wanna be one of those escorts then!

[woolldog]

79. Exploit me baby!

:rofl:

[EmilyAnne]

76. But they can only pull money like that for five to seven years. They end up sliding down the pay

scale rapidly. I worked with some of the women who were considered elite prostitutes. Approaching 30, things really start to change for a sex worker. They make compromises and end up in very bad situations. Just my experience, of course. I think if prostitution was legalized, they would be in better situations. They could openly declare income and, therefore, openly invest it for their future. They would have medical insurance, etc.

[Yurovsky]

85. From Park Ave. to an interstate truck stop parking lot ...

only takes about 10-15 years.

Whenever I see "Pretty Woman" on cable, I wonder how many young girls thought to themselves "gee, that doesn't look so bad, AND I get to marry Richard Gere!". 18 years down the road, I'm sure there's more than a few who've endured a lot of pain and anguish over their choice.

Perhaps it's time for a sequel that portrays what probably would've happened to a girl like Ms. Roberts' character.

[woolldog]

96. SO WHAT?

They save up and invest that money if they are smart. How many people EVER make that kind of money for ANY period of time? Are you really trying to get people to feel sorry for them? Even partners at the most prestigious lawfirms don't receive that much per hour.

I know several girls who were high end sex workers (didn't get paid 5k an hour though) and they are millionaires and in their late 20s. They have no education past high school and they would otherwise be working as bartenders or waitresses.

Obviously someone making that much money can put some it aside and purchase some health insurance if they are smart.

[EmilyAnne]

108. I don't expect you to feel sorry for anyone. That's your business. That's great that you know some

success stories from the sex industry. In my experience with sex workers, the one's you mention are rare.

[Medusa]

55. I once read an interview with a very famous man who said,

"I don't pay them to have sex with me, I pay them to GO HOME AND LEAVE ME ALONE" afterwards. That was a real eye-opener as to why men pay women for sex.

But damn, wouldn't you have liked a Republican Governor better for this?????

[redqueen]

56. Do you really think he was involved with streetwalkers?

Please... I'll bet ya dollars to doughnuts this was a high-end operation. Those women are most likely far from in dire financial straits.

It's a service, and men's reasons for using it are as varied as the men themselves.

[woolldog]

83. Emily, part of the reason why they pay is for secrecy.

They want it to be confidential and have assurances of that. When you're a powerful man and meet a woman at a bar or what not, you never know what her agenda is or whether she might run off to the press etc...

[catgirl]

114. Maybe he's into degrading women

Perhaps that's why he didn't take on a mistress instead.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

22. Awwwwww Shit No Way!!!!!

That fuckin sucks.....

[ElsewheresDaughter]

23. BS!

[stillcool]

24. Where is Roger Stone?

[angie_love]

30. The NYT story doesn't say anything specific!!! WTF

"On its Web site, the newspaper cites an anonymous administration official as the source and says Spitzer was meeting with his top aides." . Um it only cites an anonymous official...isn't this just like the McCain story?

[WHAT]

93. it's already in wiki...

Eliot Laurence Spitzer (born June 10, 1959) is an American lawyer, politician and the current Governor of New York. Spitzer was elected governor in the November 2006 election. He is the former New York State Attorney General, a member of the Democratic Party, and is married to Silda Wall Spitzer, the founder and chair of Children for Children, a non-profit organization. Spitzer revealed his involvement in a prostitution ring to his senior administrative officials on March 10th.<2>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliot_Spitzer


*********************************************

I thought he was republican and changed in order to be elected???????? I went there to check my memory. I think they were talking about it before Fitzgerald wrt Libby?????? Now, I'm curious...

[GoldieAZ49]

99. that was quick - I can't believe he would do this, he is smarter than this

and his family....what an ass

[GoldieAZ49]

102. just reported he has been indicted - will probably resign today

Damn

[Johnny__Motown]

28. aren't all politicians whores? I don't see the distinction. Unless he hired a politician.. err....

[ElsewheresDaughter]

29. UMMM Spitzer was the NY AG I'm sure he was "involved" in lots of "prostitution ring" cases

[HeraldSquare212]

32. Forget it, he's done - there was a big bust of a high-scale international ring last week

his name must have been found.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

94. I'm hoping he was just a John and not part of the ring operations

[GoldieAZ49]

35. Then why would he admit it to his staff - turn on MSNBC press conference

Damn it, I really liked this guy

his political career is over

[ElsewheresDaughter]

95. I'm sure he is just admitting to being a John(client) and not part of the operartions

[bicentennial_baby]

36. Er, not like this...

This isn't good, at all. x(

[rucky]

34. Isn't that redundant? He's involved in politics.

[SoonerPride]

38. Moreover, the Clinton campaign

Seriously.

[grantcart]

37. Hillary has no involvement in this NY scandal - as far as I know

[Stephanie]

43. If Spitzer says he is not a john, I take him at his word.

[yourguide]

46. and I take her at her word that she is not involved in the

prostitution ring.

[Doctor_J]

124. Yes, and I am sure Limpballs will take that into account on his show

:eyes:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

42. ahhh I smell some Chicago dirty politricking going on here...yeah I know this is shitty thinking but

I am feeling crushed ....if this is true then Spitzer is a scumbag

[thewiseguy]

48. Any more stupid comments?

[bicentennial_baby]

50. Oh ffs! Blaming Obama?

:rofl:

[RandomKoolzip]

68. Spitzer was in New York, you regionalist dipstick.

[JVS]

125. That's just it. Oh Chi-town guys are exposing the innocent Big Apple crew, yeah see?

Giving em the business. :eyes:

[cali]

71. That's quite literally insane thinking.

[karynnj]

97. That defies reason - this really does not involve either Obama or Clinton

[rug]

49. The Lieutenant Governor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Paterson

[bicentennial_baby]

61. The first legally blind Governor possibly?

Interesting.

[thewiseguy]

62. and he is African American. ;)

[rug]

65. Yeah, that's very interesting.

Could be a tremendous boost for disability rights.

[bicentennial_baby]

69. I agree....That's awesome

[Yurovsky]

91. Truly inspiring ...

I have been a fan of the Lt Gov ever since I first read about him a couple of years ago.

Not sure if he'll get the chance, but I believe he'd make a fine governor.

[karynnj]

103. Impressive that he earned a law degree and this postition

One of my daughters had a very close blind friend - it was amazing how much harder simple things were for him and how well he worked around them.

[Johnny__Motown]

73. Thanks for the link, this guy does look extraordinary

[Bad Thoughts]

53. This scandal could be bad for both Dem candidates

All we need now is another sex scandal, when over the last decade so many have been attributed to the Republicans instead. It could even play into an anti-Obama meme (re: drug use), showing democrats as essentially vice ridden, and it could damage any ticket with Clinton on it (re: infidelity). It's easy to speculate it would hurt one candidate or another, but I could bite both in the ass.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

59. I guess that means he won't be involved in any VP discussions anymore... (nt)

[eissa]

63. Damn it

I can't believe he did this. When you know your opponents are working overtime to get you, why on earth would you do something so fucking stupid and reckless?! I really liked the guy, what a shame.

[ima_sinnic]

66. is everybody in politics just plain stoopid?

I mean--DUH--everybody knows when you're in politics, people are going to go around digging up dirt on you. So why have any dirt? And how even dumber to engage in scandal when you know the "other side" is actively spying, wiretapping, and making political hay out of everything possible.

So, he's stupid, he's unfaithful, he thinks he can get away with it even though the cards are stacked against Dems at the moment--he's apparently just a jerk.

[Shine]

67. Excuse my ignorance: is he Dem or Repuke??

:shrug:

on edit: nevermind. I got it. This is not good.

[Toallwhoshallsee]

77. He is TOAST now

Boy, Lou Dobbs is going to have a field day with the "prince" tonight. I wonder who his delegate votes default to?

[Jersey Devil]

88. Dem - elected 2006, former NY Atty General, reputation as corruption buster

This is really wild

[Toallwhoshallsee]

111. Freaky......

He Broke big tobacco,and was quite an accomplished Attorney General....God, they just said he was to meet the Arch Diocese in his office this afternoon...Can you say canceled! The Church said they were embarrassed by the situation..There it is..Heeeeee's Outa Here!

[Doctor_J]

70. This didn't affect Senator Vitter. Why should it affect Spitzer?

Oh, that's right - IOKIYAR.

[GoldieAZ49]

72. from the nyt article

ALBANY - Gov. Eliot Spitzer has informed his most senior administration officials that he had been involved in a prostitution ring, an administration official said this morning.

Mr. Spitzer, who was huddled with his top aides inside his Fifth Avenue apartment early this afternoon, had hours earlier abruptly canceled his scheduled public events for the day. He scheduled an announcement for 2:15 after inquiries from the Times.


snip

Mr. Spitzer gained national attention when he served as attorney general with his relentless pursuit of Wall Street wrongdoing. As attorney general, he also had prosecuted at least two prostitution rings as head of the state’s organized crime task force.

In one such case in 2004, Mr. Spitzer spoke with revulsion and anger after announcing the arrest of 16 people for operating a high-end prostitution ring out of Staten Island.

“”This was a sophisticated and lucrative operation with a multitiered management structure,” Mr. Spitzer said at the time. ”It was, however, nothing more than a prostitution ring.”



http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/nyregion/10cnd-spitzer.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

[tridim]

75. Wonder if we'll see a client list at some point?

Could be very juicy.

[Medusa]

80. $5,000 a trick

that's what this call-girl ring charged. DAMN! At least you can't say the man is cheap.

[eissa]

115. I'm sorry, but I just have to ask

what the hell do you have to do to charge $5,000?! I know this makes me sound like a prude (and I'm completely off-topic), but jeez, that's a lot of money for.......what exactly? I mean, I don't want details or anything......I guess I'm just a little confused by this stuff.

I need to get out more! :shrug:

[cottonseed]

119. What you need to do is stay quite.

The extra money is more for secrecy then for what you're willing to "do".

[Baclava]

129. $500 for the trick....$5000 for the silence

I wonder if any NY sports stars are on that list.

[Jersey Devil]

82. Spitzer news conference live feed

http://www.wcbs880.com/

The conference has been delayed but they are standing by to carry it live

[soleft]

86. Has he been arrested?

Someone just told me he's in the hands of federal authorities.

[GoldieAZ49]

90. Press Conference coming - speculation of organized crime connection to the Prost. ring

Who knows what angle he is going to talk about

they have text messages from him too

[book_worm]

87. Spitzer has blown it big time. People spoke of him as AG now this

I hope he resigns. Is the Lt Governor a Dem? I don't care if he is a Hillary supporter or not it puts a blemish on the party.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

89. Succession In New York State

Succession In New York State
10 Mar 2008 02:33 pm

If Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) resigns, Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson (also a Clinton supporter), will take his place. If he, for some reason, decides not to accept the promotion, the president of the state senate pro tempore, who also happens to be the majority leader, Joseph Bruno, will become governor. He is, of course, Spitzer's arch-enemy.

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/03/succession_in_new_york_state.php

[Armstead]

92. Oh God.....Gov. Joe Bruno. Yikes what a prospect.

[JoFerret]

122. No No Bru-no

Paterson - great guy.
Too bad about Spitzer.
C'est la vie
say na more

[ElsewheresDaughter]

98. He was a costumer....a client....not part of the ring it self.....phew...

[GoldieAZ49]

106. 5 yr sentence per charge, he will plea bargain

huge fine and never serve in public office again

Indicted by the southern district in NY

[DangerousRhythm]

100. Here's their website...

http://emperors-spokesmodels.com/Welcome/Welcome.html

[ElsewheresDaughter]

101. Spitzer was a client...a John....not part of the operations of the prostitution ring

[Jersey Devil]

105. "#9" - You say you want a revolution?

They are saying on the radio now, unconfirmed, that he will resign

[GoldieAZ49]

104. just reported he has been indicted - will resign today

Felony charge

sentence carries 5 years per charge

[NorthernSpy]

118. visiting a hooker is a five year FELONY?

:wow:


Holy shit! In my state, I think it's like community service, and maybe a couple hundred dollars in fines, or something.


They MUST have evidence of something more serious than just paying for sex.

[GoldieAZ49]

120. It is a Federal case because it crossed state lines

with money, phone calls and text messages between NY and DC

[ElsewheresDaughter]

107. NY may have a blind Govenor ....Lieutenant Gov is a blind man from Harlem

[GoldieAZ49]

109. He came in resigned and left - THAT IS IT! CORRECTION

AP corrected, he didn't resign at the podium just apologized to his family

resignation may be part of the plea bargain

[GoldieAZ49]

110. David A. Paterson is the new Gov of NY

[Jersey Devil]

113. not yet

Spitzer has NOT stated yet that he would resign

[cottonseed]

117. Involved with an Escort Service

Looks to me like he had paid for a few high scale escorts. Framing this as a "prostitution ring" seems to me to be a little extreme. If a few nights out with these wonderful young ladies is what it takes to police Wall Street, then I'm all for it.

[BlueStater]

121. These guys just never fucking learn n/t

[TheDonkey]

128. What a dumbass

I cannot believe it. I do not understand why these politicians get involved in this. It is so sad. That power and money lead these guys away from serving the public but going off and doing senseless shit like this.