CREW Statement: "Governor Spitzer’s behavior is reprehensible. The citizens of New York deserve better."
In light of today’s New York Times report regarding New York Governor Elliot Spitzer’s involvement in a prostitution ring, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released this statement:
Given the reports that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was heard on a wiretap arranging for a prostitute to travel from New York to Washington to meet in his hotel room, it appears that he has violated the Mann Act. This federal law carries a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment for knowingly persuading or inducing any individual to cross state lines for the purposes of prostitution. Governor Spitzer also appears to have violated District of Columbia, making it unlawful for any person to engage in prostitution or to solicit for prostitution. This is punishable by up to 90 days in jail, or a fine of up to $500, or both, for the first offense.
Melanie Sloan, CREW's Executive Director and a former federal prosecutor, stated:
Given that Governor Spitzer appears to have violated both federal and D.C. law, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of New York and the District of Columbia should cooperate and conduct a thorough investigation of Governor Spitzer’s likely crimes. In addition, the New York Commission on Public Integrity should also consider whether the governor’s conduct violated New York’s ethics rules.
It is completely unacceptable for any government official – much less one who has held himself up as a paragon of virtue – to engage in criminal conduct. Governor Spitzer’s behavior is reprehensible. The citizens of New York deserve better.
Priorties
I have little sympathy for Spitzer because he is a hypocrite. What bothers me is the focus of the FBI and the resources spent upon crimes which are of no threat to me or anyone else for that matter. This investigation alone will probably cost millions of dollars paid for by the American taxpayer. The bigger question in this case is how our government is choosing to use it's resources. This whole affair is a waste of money which we do not have. I would be much more impressed if the FBI would investigate actual threats to life and property.
Gov Spitzer's Crimes
I'm not concerned about Spitzeer's hypocracy, all prominent politicians lie. They have to to get elected. And Kristen isn't the problem either, she had fun (or so she told her boss) and got paid thousands of dollars.The problem is that Spitzer did more than have fun with a whore. He broke some serious laws, laws he has prosecuted other prominent people for. These laws include The Bank Secrecy act,possible Wire Fraud, and possible Income Tax fraud. I agree, the Mann Act and the anti-prostitution laws are junk passed by our lying,hypocritical, political headers to get votes fron the brain-dead christian right.Competent adults are perfectly capable of deciding if they want to sell sexual services, and competent adults are capable of deciding if they want to buy.It's the other felonies, in short, that are the real problem,both for voters and for Spitzer, since he is looking at serious proson time.
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Let's be real here
Hypocrisy is not a crime. That is only thing Spitzer is guilty of. Whatever happens between two consenting adults is their business only, not the business of the government.
Explain to me why this is a crime?
What is really the difference between these laws and the "morality police" laws in Saudi Arabia?
When there are so many other issues the government should be dealing, they are spending my tax payer money on this?
Normally I stand with CREW on most things so far. I totally disagree on this. This is NOT reprehensible. The only thing reprehensible about Spitzer is that he prosecuted others on the so called "morality police" laws himself.
These laws are relics much like the sodomy laws the U.S Supreme Court struck down in 2003, and must be repealed, as they stand against the spirit of the Constitution.