Did Spitzer Deserve That?
Submitted by Zach Blaney on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 09:58
Yes, the former New York Governor, Elliot Spitzer, who played protagonist in his self scripted seamy thriller starred by Kristen, also known as Ashley Alexandra Dupré, didn’t deserve the fall that virtually took him to the deep dungeons of infamy. Reduced to mere “Client 9” status, Spitzer got virtually devastated by a whore, but the big question is, did he really use taxpayer dollars or campaign money in his illicit activities?
According to an analysis by The Associated Press of a year's worth of expense reports for Spitzer's office and his campaign committee, there is little sign that the money was used for illicit activities. There is nothing in expense reports filed by Spitzer's campaign committee that could indicate that Spitzer was taking prostitutes along with or he was whoring around. The reports just show plenty of far-flung travels nothing else. They don’t show any payments to any companies or people which could be identified by federal authorities as fronts for prostitution.
Kenneth Gross, the committee's lawyer has asserted that he has not found any evidence that the organization paid for hotel rooms for people who weren't on legitimate campaign business. Gross said, “We had a really good system, and we carefully reviewed not only the contributions coming in ... but also on the expenditure side."
Spitzer's state-issued credit card also shows no outward sign of having been abused for extracurricular pursuits. He charged $4,056 in travel-related expenses to the state including three trips to Washington D.C. and another to a conference with Hispanic lawmakers in Puerto Rico, between September and February. But, he didn’t use his state card to pay for the two rooms that FBI agents accuse him of using to arrange a Feb. 13 encounter with a call girl named Kristen (Ashley Alexandra Dupré) at Washington's Mayflower Hotel. His campaign also didn't pay for the rooms. It shows that Spitzer paid the “controversial expenses” with his own money.
However, the records filed with the state comptroller's office show that the government paid Spitzer's air fare and for hotel rooms for two aides and two State Police troopers who accompanied him on the trip — all at a cost of about $1,070. Spitzer, who is married father of three, has told aides and his legal team that he never spent public or campaign dollars on prostitutes.
Meanwhile, Federal prosecutors in New York, who are leading the prostitution investigation, have not said whether they intend to charge Spitzer with any crimes. Yet the prosecutors are nosing about the matter; so far, they charged the alleged organizers of the high-priced call girl, Ashley Alexandra Dupré.
When Spitzer resigned, he had about $2.9 million in unspent campaign funds. Jonathan Rosen, the committee spokesperson said the money would be distributed "in accordance with all applicable laws" but didn't outline where it would go. He said it will not be used for the ex-governor's personal legal fees. However, the New York State Republican Party is pressing the committee to give the money to a charity "committed to helping young women avoid self-destructive lifestyles."
