Did Secret Wiretapping bring Spitzer down?

[The Sushi Bandit]

Odds are YES!

It is probably the 1st of many politically motivated Bushco spying "busts" that masquerade as legitimate investigations. They wanted him soo bad. He was in all likelihood targeted years ago by NSA under the direction of the neo-cons in power.

Yes, he shouldn't have had sex with a prostitute but... where was his wife? Was she really there for him? Probably not.

Don't be surprised when other's start biting the dust for being human. It's what the neo-cons want after all. To eliminate the voices that call them on their bullshit.

[RC]

1. I would say you are correct. Just the first of many more to come, so to speak.

[Muttocracy]

2. But wasn't it the bank transfers that led to this?

Due to FDIC regs and more recent rules on banks sending info on to the fed govmt. Didn't the bank think he was being blackmailed?

[NightWatcher]

3. NO, his bank turned him in after 80K worth of 'suspicious' money transfers

only later did they find that he was involved in sex. The DOJ then got warrants to surveil him.

[Muttocracy]

4. thanks, we posted same time nt

[KharmaTrain]

14. He Got Stuck In Laws Of His Own Design...

...and he knew it! That's why he tried to get his name removed from the transfers.

The IRS was notified, by law, when more than $10,000 was transfered. This was a law set up to watch over drug dealing, weapons purchases and income tax evasion. The original thought was that Spitzer was on the take and this was his slush fund...that was the justification for the wiretaps...all presented to a judge who then gave the FBI the approval. Very legal...and actions Spitzer, himself, would have used to go after a target. This was more the work of the IRS and FBI rather than the DOJ...they only get involved after the FBI says they think a crime has been committed.

[napi21]

5. I've been saying that for two days on DU & I've been told I'm NUTS!

I think they've been wt his phones/emails for several years, and when they finally got the words they needed, they got a few/one bank employee to submit Suspicious activity report to the IRS to give validity to their investigation.

BTW, the FIRST Dem victim I know of was the former Governor in Alabama! Remember the Pub lawyer who a few weeks ago stated that Rover asked her to follow the Gov. and get compromising pics? She did, but didn't find anything, so they chose another avenue and managed to put him in jail!

[GodlessBiker]

6. "Where was his wife? Was she really there for him?" That's the defense? Not good.

[Junkdrawer]

7. Now now. Billionaires who withdraw a couple of thousand in cash are ALWAYS wiretapped...

what kind of conspiracy nut are you anyways?

[Muttocracy]

8. So Spitzer is a victim, his wife is to blame? And spending $80,000 on prostitutes is just "human"?

[aquart]

19. A couple of thousand a visit...that ain't all that much sex.

And $80,000 is pocket change to Spitzer.

[The Sushi Bandit]

23. Agreed!!

[katandmoon]

9. Are you SERIOUSLY blaming HIS WIFE?!

You're not REALLY blaming Spitzer's illegal, stupid, and selfish actions in any way, shape or form on his wife, are you? PUH-FUCKING-LEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE!

I really think that to try to excuse Spitzer's actions is counterproductive and pointless. If he had an (R) after his name, you wouldn't be suggesting it was his wife's fault that he not only couldn't keep it in his pants but that he had to stick it into a high-priced call girl. You'd be holding Spitzer fully accountable for being arrogant enough to think he could get away with this -- to think that the trail he left behind him wouldn't catch him up.

It doesn't really much matter if Spitzer was caugh the same way any small-time crook would be caught, or if he was targeted. He's a deliberate law-breaker either way, not a tragic victim. Given his high-level position as, you know, GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK, it was more incumbent upon Spitzer than most NY citizens to abide by the law. But he didn't. He risked his position, his family, and his name to enjoy some high-priced illegal nookie, and he had to be well aware of what he was risking and what the consequences might well be. But he thought with his dick and not his head. He's screwed an entire electorate, not just one call girl. Like Spitzer or anybody else who does what he did has any moral standing to call anybody on their bullshit. He's as big a self-interersted hypocrite as the rest of them.

There is no excuse for that, none. Spitzer and Spitzer alone brought this on himself and he deserves everything he's getting and more. Please don't try to palm the responsibility off on anybody else. You do yourself no credit with that argument, you really don't.

[The Sushi Bandit]

12. No "blame" sugested

just wondering about the "Reality" of it all. Lack of love and understanding in relationships by either party can drive one to find it in some other way. We are only HUMAN you know!

[Mountainman]

16. Look at his wife and look at the hooker. He wanted someone younger and sexier

That is not his wife's fault. There is no way you can stop growing older.

[peacetalksforall]

10. Well you've joined the Republicans with the talking points that

were delivered to them? "... where was his wife? Was she really there for him? Probably not."

That is totally insensitive unless you are in their bedroom and are their spokesperson on that suject.

She is wife and mother. What has she really done wrong? C'mon - give us the details.

It's ridiculous when it comes from Limbaugh or Dr. Schlesinger. More so on DU.

Edited to add - grow up.

[The Sushi Bandit]

18. F*ck "their" talking points

I dont care how "they" want to spin it. Please re-read my post again with different glasses. It's not as offensive as you may think!

[aquart]

11. Do NOT blame the wife.

When men fool around, it is about something in THEM, not the women who love them.

[The Sushi Bandit]

13. Or Dont love them??

women fool around too!!

[FreepFryer]

15. Yes it did. But don't criticize his wife, it's not called for at all. (n/t)

[appleannie1]

17. This says warrants were obtained

But just as much as the alleged prostitution ring employed technology to further its reach, the authorities uncovered it the same way. The FBI, according to court documents, intercepted more than 5,000 telephone calls and text messages, more than 6,000 e-mails, bank and travel records -- all, the bureau said, with court authorized warrants.

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/03/worlds-oldest-p.html

[BadgerLaw2010]

20. There's no such thing as "masquerading as legitimate." Either there's a warrant or there's not.

In what world are the Feds stupid enough to build a case off of warrantless work?

[ScreamingMeemie]

21. You know, at this very moment, there are people out there saying

the very same thing about me. I guess it takes all kinds.

[slackmaster]

22. That, plus his huge ego and inability to keep "Junior" in his pants

:argh:

[Oslo]

24. Randi Rhodes says Justice Dept focused on

digging dirt on Dems.