Spitzer And A Plea Bargain
ABC News is reporting that the only thing holding Eliot Spitzer back from resigning as governor of New York is not having a plea bargain in place that avoids him going to jail. His money-laundering in order to pay for his hooker addiction is the issue that could get him some very real jail time.
A 22-year-old escort found on another call-girl Web site claimed to ABC News in a phone interview that Gov. Eliot Spitzer had been one of her customers two years ago when he was New York attorney general and that he was a nice guy who tipped well.
"He didn't do anything that wasn't clean," she said, adding that she knew who he was because he had made calls from the attorney general's office in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Federal investigators say there is no evidence Spitzer used state money or campaign funds to pay the prostitutes, but that the way he moved an estimated $40,000 through various accounts violated federal money laundering laws.
"These are serious laws and laws that given the amount of money involved here could mean a prison term of 10 to 18 months," Sean O'Shea, a former federal prosecutor specializing in financial crimes, said.
A prison term is one of the issues holding up the governor's resignation as well as whether or not he pleads guilty to criminal charges.
Give him the plea deal and be done with him. His career is over although his narcissism will probably lead him to try to remain a political player. But he'll find that a lot of people want nothing to do with him or his proclivities. Political cooties can be contagious.
By Mwalimu Daudi, March 11, 2008 @ 8:25 pm
Having watched Slick Willie thumb his nose at the law for years – and prosper in the process - I am not sure that Spitzer is necessarily finished. I was watching FOX tonight, and there is a rumor that some around Spitzer are urging him to brazen it out.
By kidrob, March 12, 2008 @ 5:33 am
no way! scooter went to jail cause couldnt remember what he said. lock the mo fo up!
By feeblemind, March 12, 2008 @ 8:06 am
Mwalimu has a point. I was reading this morning that his wife, of all people, wants him to remain in office.
By Jonn Lilyea, March 12, 2008 @ 9:53 am
Jail time! And they can impeach him by lunchtime today, if they hurry. The one time I had to deal with his office, there’s was no compromising – so show him the same mercy he’d show anyone else. Throw the rat-face lying thief in jail! Let his cell mate, Tiny, sort out the pieces.
By Sam, March 12, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
I read an article on the Lt. Governor Patterson on Politico I think. The interesting thing was the picture accompanying the article showing the new Governor and his wife standing at a podium. The both looked shell shocked, with this dazed look on their faces. Can you imagine the change for them – in 48 hours they went from a relatively quiet, sedate existence to being thrown into the limelight. I wish them well, it won’t be easy.As for Mr. Spitzer, my hope is that he abandons his political aspirations completely, gets a job at some law firm, and drops out of sight. It would be best for everyone.
By Mockinbird, March 12, 2008 @ 2:30 pm
Perhaps, he could go out to Hollywood and get a part in CSI where he plays a hardass governor who is laundering payments for prostitutes…