Posted on 03/11/2008 11:45:02 AM PDT by ventanax5
I have been bugged out with the flu, and as a result I've seen a lot of the commentary — including, of course, "expert" commentary, which has been something less than expert.
The general approach of the federal law to prostitution mimics its approach to gambling. They are activities that tend to generate big profits for organized crime syndicates, which profits not only enrich the racketeers but underwrite their various other rackets, including loan-sharking, narcotics trafficking, murder-for-hire, etc.
In Governor Spitzer's case, moreover, it's worth remembering the Nevada senator character in Godfather II who is blackmailed into doing the Corleones' bidding on Capitol Hill. That vignette involved a murder frame-up in a brothel, but the extortion scheme was realistic because the senator had patronized a prostitution business run by the mafia. (A similar issue arose with President Clinton's phone-sex on non-secure phones with Monica Lewisky — which was not a "private matter" because it raised the specter of a U.S. president's leaving himself vulnerable to blackmail by any foreign intelligence service that managed to tap the phone.)
(Excerpt) Read more at corner.nationalreview.com ...
I’m not defending Spitzer but can someone explain to me how transferring $15K between your personal, private bank accounts consitutes activity that rises to the level of the bank reporting it to the IRS and a judge ordering a wiretap? I mean, shouldn’t there be millions of reports submitted to the IRS daily based on this criteria? And then millions of wiretaps? Pretty soon half the population will be employed by the FBI listening into wiretaps of the other half.
http://www.wnbc.com/politics/15562646/detail.html
Spitzer allegedly used the escort service for at least six months and paid more than $15,000 for numerous meetings, a source familiar with the case told WNBC.com.
The case started when banks noticed the frequent cash transfers from several accounts and filed suspicious activity reports with the Internal Revenue Service, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press Tuesday. The accounts were traced back to Spitzer, prompting public corruption investigators to open an inquiry.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
If he had kept it under 10K, probably wouldn’t have raised any red flags.
Frequent cash transfers from several accounts.
Money laundering suspicions, that’s what. Even securities brokers and insurance agents are trained to watch for such activity and obligated to report suspicions immediately.
It’s a sign of the times.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Your assertion about not being prosecuted for being a prostitute’s client is not correct. Law enforcement conducts stings to catch clients. Often the stings are at the street level but sometimes at the level of escort services and massage parlors. If LE has credible evidence of paying for sex, you will be prosecuted.
Try depositing $5000.00 into your bank account nowadays, let me know what you experience.
Banks have established criteria for reporting these transactions to the Feds.
The Feds get interested when they see payments being made to organized crime rings they've got their eye on.
Does that make sense?
Gee I’m sure that if the coin were flipped, Spitzer would have been very tolerant of someone else doing this in NY when he was AG? NOT
IMHO, these statutes should not be used to convert a $500 state misdemeanor into a $5000 and five years federal felony.
OTOH, Elliott is such a hypocritical, holier-than-thou jerk, having prosecuted prostitution crimes himself, that I really don't care what the feds throw at him.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Mr. Spitzer himself has prosecuted people for being johns, hasn’t he?
I deposited $12,000 into my savings account 1 1/2 months ago. Sale of stocks. I have not been contacted by anyone. Yet.
My understanding is that in CA it is big deal to be caught as a “John”. They will impound and probably sell your vehicle, if it is involved, and the fines and charges are quite serious.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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