Reactions to Spitzer Not Facing Federal Hookergate Charges

Now that the feds won't press charges against former governor Eliot Spitzer for his dalliances with a prostitute (the DOJ did not find public or campaign funds were used for services from the Emperors Club VIP), many believe it was the right decision. A former prosecutor told the Times the "the federal government does not, as a general rule, prosecute johns in prostitution cases." Manhattan DA (and former Spitzer boss) Robert Morgenthau said, "The guy lost his job, apologized and was publicly embarrassed. I don't believe in kicking someone when they're down. It would only be a misdemeanor anyway." Still, a lawyer for an Emperors Club VIP booker, said it wasn't right his client faced jail, "Spitzer is much the more egregious actor here."

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By Jen Chung in News on November 7, 2008 11:25 AM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

Some stories have 'legs'. this story has huge tits!

rdsizzle

I love that fucking picture...What was her rate?

jaycjay

"Why wasn't the prostitute charged with anything?"

She was given immunity in exchange for her testimony against the operators of the company. Remember that this began as a large-scale investigation aiming to bring down what law enforcement called a "worldwide prostitution ring." Neither the johns nor the hookers were the targets, and they would have been barely mentioned if Spitzer's name hadn't come up.

As for her taxes, yeah, if she's smart she'll be filing some amended returns. A prostitution charge is a pretty minor thing compared to tax evasion.

Rob T Firefly

Rich? Check.

White? Check.

You're good to go, sir. Have a nice day.

Clarice City

Why wasn't the prostitute charged with anything? Like, prostitution.

Shouldn't she be paying taxes on all that income like the rest of us?

jaycjay

"Are there even federal prostitution laws on the books?"

No. Federal prosecution would have been for violation of the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting a woman across state lines for "immoral purposes." It would of course be a perfect example of selective prosecution.

"So the solicitor of prostitution is more at fault than the one prostituting themselves?"

That lawyer's client wasn't one of the prostitutes. She worked in the office, booking appointments.

Felix Hoenikker

Boobies!

Pull My Finger

Any story that you can post pictures with large almost bare breast is a good story.

blablanyc

Bloomberg should tax prostitution.

DarkGemini

Are there even federal prostitution laws on the books? With it being legal in most of Nevada, and soon (possibly?) to be legal in San Francisco, I'd like to say there isn't... however IANAL.

I agree, unfortunately. There is nothing to be gained with charging him with a misdemeanor, what with a fall from grace that can only be defined as nothing less than epic.

aveB4life

nice...sunglasses.

Toby von Meistersinger

No doubt the old boys network was in action with favors called in.

ganghiscon

I wish this applied to everyone.

"Oh, you're just smoking a joint? Forget about it. It would only be a misdemeanor anyway."

Then we wouldn't have to worry about having radio antennas stuck up our asses, apparently.

ugh

So, if you have gobs of money, and apologize, it's ok to break the law !!

Kojak

Still, a lawyer for an Emperors Club VIP booker, said it wasn't right his client faced jail, "Spitzer is much the more egregious actor here."

So the solicitor of prostitution is more at fault than the one prostituting themselves?

But I agree with the DA. The man has paid his price. Time to move on