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Spitzer Prostitute Details: $80,000 Spent, Mood Music, Multiple Prostitutes, Up To A Decade Of Use And An Ever-Present Security Detail

Huffington Post   First Posted: 08/14/08 01:47 PM ET Updated: 05/25/11 01:25 PM ET

Sptizet

According to sources, Eliot Spitzer has spent up to $80,000 on prostitutes, and may have used tax dollars for the meet ups (meet Kristen, his Feb. 13 liason):

As Gov. Spitzer held the state hostage to negotiate a sweet plea deal Tuesday night, probers looked to see if he used tax dollars for trysts with high-priced hookers totaling up to $80,000.


A source familiar with the probe said IRS and FBI investigators found at least nine instances going back 18 months in which Spitzer made multiple cash transfers linked to Emperors Club VIP, a high-priced prostitution ring.

Although the cash used to pay for a $4,300 prostitute named "Kristen" apparently came from Spitzer's account, he used taxpayer dollars to fly to and from his illicit rendezvous.

Investigators are looking to see whether he used state money for the hotel rooms.

It is unclear how he was able to carry out his meetings with his ever-present security detail:

Since Eliot Spitzer was sworn in as governor in January 2007, he has been escorted by a four-person detail of state troopers assigned to keep watch over him during all his waking hours. (Mr. Spitzer also had a security team during his eight years as attorney general, but it was beefed up when he moved to the governor's mansion.)


So where were the troopers on the night of Feb. 13, when, law enforcement officials say, Mr. Spitzer was entertained by a high-priced prostitute at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington?

The affidavit that outlines the governor's contact with the Emperor's Club V.I.P. prostitution ring and a brunette known as Kristen makes no mention of his security detail. But in one instance, he appears to have called the club to arrange a date within a half-hour of leaving a public event, suggesting he would have been dialing while being driven by a trooper.

What remains unclear is whether protocol would dictate that the officers stand sentry outside his hotel room overnight, or have them call it a day once the governor retires,


He has been with seven or eight prostitutes in recent years:

Gov. Eliot Spitzer had at least seven or eight liaisons over the last several years with prostitutes supplied by an international call girl ring based in New Jersey, according to sources familiar with the investigation into Spitzer's relationship with the ring.


The liaisons between Spitzer and a number of different prostitutes occurred around the country, including in Washington, D.C., and Florida, the sources said. For each encounter, Spitzer paid several thousand dollars, the sources said; The Associated Press cited a source that said the total could be as high as $80,000.


Spitzer got busted because of his wire transfers. He reportedly went out of his way to cover his tracks, triggering the bank to alert the IRS:

Last year, Spitzer wired more than $10,000 from a Manhattan bank account to a front company for the Emperors Club VIP, which hired out prostitutes to high-end clients, according to a newsday.com report.


But in an apparent effort to evade federal regulations requiring that transactions involving $10,000 or more be disclosed to the government, Spitzer broke up the money into a series of smaller transfers on numerous occasions over at least a year, sources said.

Despite that, Spitzer got worried that he could be tied to the transfers and asked the bank to remove his name from the transactions. The bank reportedly refused, not only because of regulations, but also because the money had already gone out.

His history with prostitutes wasn't limited to the Emperors Club VIP and went back as far as a decade:

The millionaire, married politician has been hopping into bed with harlots for as long as a decade and traveled as far as Florida for steamy trysts, sources said.


One of them, a 22-year-old call girl who goes by the name "Sienna" on her Web site, told ABC News that Spitzer paid her for sex two years ago when he was still attorney general.

He tipped big and "didn't do anything that wasn't clean," she added.

The night of his meeting with "Kristen," Spitzer was searching for classical mood music:

Shortly before his pre-Valentine Day's Washington, DC, hotel tryst with the call girl now publicly known as "Kristen," Spitzer asked his aides in the Mayflower Hotel if they had a classical-music CD he could bring to his room, a witness said.


Between 9 and 9:15 p.m. on Feb. 13, Spitzer came down to the hotel bar and asked his contingent of about eight for a CD, which no one had, the witness told The Post.

The governor - normally a rock fan who last year attended a Bruce Springsteen concert in Albany - was said to be wearing a blue sweatshirt and jeans.

"At the time, he claimed it was to help him focus and concentrate," the source said of Spitzer. "He said he was going to work late into the night."

The governor was seeking the mood music just minutes before the prostitute arrived at the hotel.

One high-priced call girl named Kristen is deyning she's Spitzer's Kristen.

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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
CammyV
09:33 AM on 03/13/2008
I'm dying to see SNL's take on this fiasco.
Tilda Spitzer-"You spent $4800 on the hooker on Valentine's eve and all I got was a Whitman's Sampler?"
Why she stood beside this self righteous philanderer without belting him in front of the media, is beyond me.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
NABNYC
06:59 PM on 03/12/2008
How can they end the article without telling us the name of the piece? The Governor wanted a specific classical music CD. Which one?

Nessun Dorma? Puccini, Turandot? (Nobody Sleeps Tonight)

La Donna Mobile, from La Traviata? (Woman Are So Stupid, or Silly, or something like that).

How about the famous quartet from Rigoletto, right before the famous assasination scene. The four could be the governor, his wife, the "girlfriend," and -- Mukasey?

How about Mozart's Requiem?
03:36 PM on 03/12/2008
Governor Spitzer did a lot of good in focusing the State of New York's people (and the nation) on the wrongdoings of the monied and powerful. As Attorney General of the state he went after people no one in that position before him dared do so. You make big enemies that way. I'm sure it was well known, in small circles, of these powerful people that the Gov had a itch for this type of thing. The question on my mind is why was it dropped on the public (and Mr. Spitzer), now? I still think, as I said yesterday, that the Big Brother spying done by the NSA is more behind this than anyone wants to admit. Anything that any American does is within reach of this criminal attack upon our civil liberties. Don't be surprised if years from now we find out how these jerks doing the spying "cherry-picked" whom they would target, next. Something smells about this whole story (and it isn't the tryst the Governor has been caught in).
03:28 PM on 03/12/2008
Nothing like a little Rachmaninoff when you're getting your rocks off.
03:24 PM on 03/12/2008
My comment here is simple: Go and read the article just posted by Bill Maher.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
LoHaze
05:51 PM on 03/12/2008
Bill Maher, you and others are missing the point. Who cares about the sex? Other than his wife possibly being exposed to STDS that's no one's business.
What the public should care about is that he is a public official with a tough reputation for fighting prostitution (which is illegal in New York). In his private life he is frequenting prostitutes, thus abusing the power of his office. What kind of hypocritical nut is this guy? A power mad egomaniac. As this case is opened further to the public, I bet more unsavory details about this man's character will be exposed and it may have nothing to do with sex (taxpayers funds used improperly, using the perks of his job to facilitate trysts, etc.)
Here is an analogy: if you work for a store, then STEAL from the store you should be fired.
And if your job is fighting illegal prostitution, then you shouldn't be a customer - period.
02:39 PM on 03/12/2008
There's some redemption for the poor schmoe; at least we know that he was "a big tipper".
03:56 PM on 03/12/2008
...you would think he would have know up front about the governmental rule about the $10,000 transfer.
06:02 PM on 03/12/2008
Not only should he have known about the transfer rule, but about The Mann Act. He's an attorney, HELLO?? He surely knew about this, but chose to do what he did, anyway. Repeatedly.

Another case of a powerful man getting so wrapped up in his own self-importance that he truly thought he was untouchable.
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aristippe
no more oil for war
12:27 AM on 03/13/2008
He did know, in fact some of the cases he prosecuted used this kind of information. Since 9/11 the 10,000 transfer flag no longer applies. It could be as low as 5 dollars now!
06:36 PM on 03/12/2008
As far as most people know, Bill Clinton didn't have to spend a dime for all of his extramarital sex. Here is Spitzer spending $80,000. What a loser.
02:26 PM on 03/12/2008
I can hear Slick Willie now; "Interns, you damn fool, interns!!! Hell, you could have had Hillary for a song!
01:44 PM on 03/12/2008
PUNISH SEX but NOT CORRUPTION? Why?
How stupid are we?

CORRUPT power-guys "on-the-take" for decades, like Joe Bruno who has siphoned out our tax money--WHY is he still boss in ALBANY NY?
How stupid are we?

NYState Legislature's CORRUPT JOE BRUNO shoud go next.

Enough of Bruno's manipulations, posing as the FAKE "innocent farm boy" and his lies and corruption. Bruno has been at his nasty game long enough. He has paralyzed the NYState Legislature for many years.

It's time for Bruno to go. The FBI should INVESTIGATE Bruno's corrupt practices. Or are Republicans EXEMPT FROM INVESTIGATION? What's all the WIRETAPPING all about?
Getting DIRT on everybody else?

The spotlight has been focused on Spitzer, but now it's time to
refocus on JOE BRUNO whose time is way past "over" in the NYS Legislature.

The Spitzer debacle should NOT DISTRACT us from the CORRUPTION we need to oust in Albany NY LEGISLATURE.
01:26 PM on 03/12/2008
There IS actually a story here: sworn members of elite law enforcement paid by our tax dollars who leak private information from investigations to the corporate media, and private media companies who profit by a culture of sleaze, in an unholy alliance against the public good. Is this corporate media going to then present privacy rights arguments objectively? No wonder the nation has no objection to a partisan hack "Justice" Department's giving us an involuntary proctoscopy!
12:49 PM on 03/12/2008
He is as bad as Clinton lying by saying how sorry he was. I would give anything for an honest man who would say, "A large part of the historical upper class have enjoyed sexual pleasure they could afford, just like the lower class does, since at least Classical times. Bush's ancestors the Prescotts were typical. Never heard of the Jazz age, you imbeciles? I'm going to stop pandering to the infantile American know nothings who haven't even read 19th century New York city history. Grow up, people! Read the book on political wiretapping and realize these Nazis are coming for you next!" Instead, we get this meek mea culpa that leaves us in ignorance.
12:43 PM on 03/12/2008
These things aren't really private matters. The FBI isn't the only entity listening in. Foreign governments know all about which politicians like what. They probably know everything that was said in that hotel room.

And if a guy'll throw away his family, his career and his future for a certain kind of sex, do you think he might betray his country for it?
11:19 AM on 03/12/2008
A mere $80k? and *possible* corruption?





Where's the trillions Rumsfeld 'lost' Sept 10, 2001?
11:14 AM on 03/12/2008
Elliot has $6000.00 it will cost him $500.00 to bring his “lady friend” across state lines to violate the Mann act. His lady friend is gong to charge him $4300.00 for her “services”. Elliot claims that he has a $400.00 credit with the service that employs his friend. How much money will Elliot have left over for his lawyers fees and divorce settlement?
11:02 AM on 03/12/2008
Several things that trouble me, pro/con:

The fact that Wall Street is cheering and rooting for his removal is very disconcerting, especially given the inadequate lack of regulation and oversight that has helped caused financial abuses such as the mortgage-banking-finance melt-down.

Are people really shocked that rich men use the services of prostitutes or cheat on their wives? Should all people who use prostitutes or cheat on their wives be removed from their jobs? Let's be consistent. They should however be accountable to their spouses in their own personal sphere of life.

If he misused the power of his job, then that warrants punishment in the sphere of his job.

I do not see the benefit for the public good and the removal of a politician who has a record of fighting on behalf of the public against powerful interests because of their sexual infidelities.

However, if he used taxpayer money. Then he deserves a rebuke.
That he broke the law as attorney general, is troubling. However, not every contravention of the law, such as minor infractions like speed, should warrant automatic removal.

Isn't it more immoral, and more damaging to many people, to package billions of dollars of investments as "highly reliable" in order to reap huge profits, when in fact these loans were pyramid schemes? There are many immorally deceptive and exploitative financial & political practices that greatly harm the public, which hypocritically and unfortunately do not get punishment.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
middleoftheroad
11:10 AM on 03/12/2008
BUT, you have to look at the fact that this guy built a career out of being a prosecutor who had many cases that dealt with putting away people who ran call girl rings! What happens to THOSE cases??? How can he stand there as a leader of a state and enforce the law now? He was not just a thorn in the side of Wall St execs (that he used very dirty tactics btw-using the press before a charge was brought, suggested Grasso HAD a MISTRESS! etc). He is a jerk who has lost ALL cred and is a joke now. He's has to and will go.
11:22 AM on 03/12/2008
I don't get it.... What's the big deal.....? He can go or stay so far as I'm concerned. Or he can drop dead for that matter, I couldn't care one way or the other. He's just another Bozo, just like you and me.

Oh... I'm so outraged...! What moral turpitude....! We should crucify him.... yeah that's the ticket....

All of us fine upstanding moral citizens are feeling so virtuous and superior.

It feels good, doesn't it......?

Best regards,

Albie
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SILVANUS
Moving to Italy indefinitely. God Bless All.
12:09 PM on 03/12/2008
True. Well put. I hate to see a man with redeeming qualities go, but you're correct; he lied. When we stop persecuting anyone for sex (other than nailing those who abuse or prey on children and animals, which, of course, is hideous and deserves punishment), and get beyond this two-faced Puritanical crap, we might have some fundamental change on issues that do matter. Vital men are horny, period, straight, gay or inbetween..
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
mojopo
Enthusiast
11:24 AM on 03/12/2008
balance - I have the same opinion as you. Talking with a friend last night, we were discussing Spitzer and that it is unlikely he is a novice at being a John. Somewhere along the way, someone noticed something and protected Spitzer. Then we find out yes - he's being hiring hookers for years. In light of the mortgage scandals and it being an election year, I smell a payback. Surely not everyone is surprised about Spitzer, but I bet they didn't know it would get blown out of proportion like this.

Wall Street rallied yesterday from the edge of nothingness. They are way too happy, and there something about this sting that seems contrived.

Of course he is a hypocrite, but the only one he truly betrayed was his wife and that is their business, not ours.
10:57 AM on 03/12/2008
On February 14 of this year Spitzer published an op-ed detailing the administration's desire to stop any state from interfering with predatory lenders. The admistration even sued to stop any state from writing new laws and regulations concerning predatory lending. I suspect this is how the GOP is paying Spitzer back for refusing to stop going after their criminal donor base.
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11:52 AM on 03/12/2008
I agree boomer. It's fishy. He'd gone after one too many fat cats and they've stopped him now. I did not realize it was the wire transfers that got him.. I thought he'd used e-mail or the phone and that's what caught him up. This stuff is as old as the hills. Competitive guys like Spitzer are often guys with zipper problems. It goes with the territory. He should have withdrawn a lot of cash and paid cash. Dumb. If this organization's client list becomes available I'll bet there are some Wall Street types on that list too. Super competitive guys are often randy. In addition I suspect many of them fear they are not sexually adequate for one reason or another.
02:52 PM on 03/12/2008
If Spitzer had kept it in his pants - there was no way to set him up.