The Latest Scott Ritter Sex Sting Press Coverage - Story is Spreading, slowly...

Various | January 20, 2003

[Timesink]

Latest Capital News 9 article (Albany):

Articles report dismissed charges

Updated: 1/20/2003 12:36 PM

By: Capital News 9 web staff

According to newspaper reports this weekend, former UN weapons inspector and Delmar native Scott Ritter was arrested for a Class B misdemeanor.

The Daily Gazette and Daily News said the incident happened back in June 2001. All records in the case, including the nature of the arrest have since been sealed.

A veteran Albany County Assistant District Attorney was fired as a result of how the case was handled.

District Attorney Paul Clyne has an office policy to always be informed when cases of a sensitive nature arise.

He said he was shocked when he heard about the Ritter case, and fired Cynthia Preiser after 15 years of service.

Both Ritter and his attorney declined comment on the case.
Efforts to reach Cynthia Preiser have also been unsuccessful.

Ritter has appeared as a commentator on national news networks, and right here on Capital News 9.

Ritter gained national attention as a former UN weapons inspector in Iraq for his outspoken opposition to the Bush administration policies in Iraq.

From Fox 23 News - WXXA Albany (This is straight from the newsroom's teleprompter/closed captioning feed), posted approximately noon Eastern:

Ritter Arrested on Sex Charges

FORMER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR SCOTT RITTER A FIXTURE ON LOCAL AND NATIONAL NEWS SHOWS--- HIS PICTURE NOW GRACING THE AIRWAVES IN DISGRACE AFTER DETAILS OF AN ARREST COME OUT.

REPORTS SHOW SCOTT RITTER OF DELMAR-- -WHO FREQUENTLY SOUNDS OFF IN THE PRESS ON IRAQI ISSUES--- WAS SECRETLY PROSECUTED IN ALBANY COUNTY TWO YEARS AGO AFTER BEING CAUGHT IN AN INTERNET SEX STING OPERATION. THE CASE APPARENTLY SEALED...AND A DEAL STRUCK WITH ONE OF ALBANY COUNTY'S ASSISTANT D-A'S.....THAT D-A NOW FIRED.

AND THE CHARGES AGAINST RITTER JUST NOW COMING TO LIGHT. {realistic thinking, responsible thinking. I spent time in Iraq--I would spend three or four weeks there.}

HIS LOUD CALLS FOR PEACE BRINGING GOVERNMENT SCRUTINY AT EVERY ANGLE...NOW FORMER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR AND DELMAR NATIVE, SCOTT RITTER UNDER SCRUTINY AGAIN-- THIS A LITTLE MORE PERSONAL--- FOR SEX CHARGES.

REPORTS SHOW RITTER WAS ARRESTED BY COLONIE POLICE IN JUNE OF 2001 AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY HAD A SEX CONVERSATION ON THE INTERNET WITH AN UNDERAGE GIRL, WHO TURNED OUT TO BE AN UNDERCOVER COP.

RITTER NOT AT HOME TODAY.... HIS WIFE REFUSING TO COMMENT.... {Is there any comment that you'd like to make? no comment what so ever. What about Scott? the same position, he will not make a comment what so ever.}

ASSISTANT D-A, CYNTHIA PRIESER HANDLED THE CASE AGAINST RITTER. REPORTS SHOW THE TWO STRUCK A DEALâ?¦ SEALING THE CASE AND DISMISSING IT 6 MONTHS AFTER THE ARREST.PRIESER NOW FIRED FOR FAILING TO TELL DA PAUL CLYNE THE CASE EVER EXISTED.

NEIGHBORS IN DISBELIEF THAT RITTER, A HUSBAND AND FATHER OF TWO WOULD DO THIS... {I'd be shocked. Scott's a good guy. Every encounter I've ever had with him has been positive. He's been a good neighbor and a friend.} {The timing seems suspicious on top of the origination of some of the allegations.}

RITTER HAS SAID THAT WAR WITH IRAQ SHOULD ONLY BE PURSUED AS A LAST RESORT...THIS OPINION WIDELY CRITICIZED BY MANY POLITICIANS.... NOW HIS OPINION MAY CARRY EVEN LESS WEIGHT IN LIGHT OF THIS SEXUAL SCANDAL.

SCOTT RITTER WAS MOST RECENTLY ON TELEVISION LAST WEEK COMMENTING ON THE DISCOVERY OF EMPTY WARHEADS IN IRAQ. HIS WIFE TELLS US HE'S NOW IN CALIFORNIA.

From WTEN Channel 10 Albany:

Delmar Weapons Inspector in Hot Water

(posted: January 20th, 8:58am) The spotlight is back on former UN Weapons Inspector and Delmar native, Scott Ritter. But it's not over Iraq instead its over charges he talked with an underage girl on the Internet.

The Daily Gazette broke the story over the weekend. The paper says Ritter was arrested in June of 2001 after having a sexual conversation on the Internet with someone he "thought" was an underage girl.

The girl turned out to be an undercover investigator.

[Timesink]

Now if we can just get this story beyond Albany and "Fox & Friends"...

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[Duke Nukum]

Rush just mentioned it in the last half hour. It will probably lead the Grapevine on Britt Hume's show tonight.

[xzins]

I realized that talking about injuring political figures (pres, vp, judges, etc) was illegal.

Are there other things it is illegal to talk about on the internet.

While Ritter's behavior is reprehensible, and I think him a traitor, I'm truly wondering what else it is illegal to talk about on the internet.

[Timesink]

The First Amendment is 100% applicable to the internet. Period. If you can say it or print it in the "real world," you can say it here.

[Registered]

I think it's time for Scott Ritter to assist Scott Peterson in the search for Laci in LA...

[donozark]

Quite a lot on google re:Cynthia Preiser. However, not as yet able to establish link to Shillary...Hence the reason for Preiser to "seal and shut-up?" Familiar pattern, if so. Guess Ann Coulter was right about Scott Ritter. That is, someone or something "got to him."

[Servant of the Nine]

Look for O'Reilley to go off on him. He hates Pedophiles and people who try to lie to him.

So9

[Timesink]

Minor Capital News 9 update:

Articles report dismissed charges

Updated: 1/20/2003 1:38 PM

By: Capital News 9 web staff

According to newspaper reports this weekend, former UN weapons inspector and Delmar resident Scott Ritter was arrested for a Class B misdemeanor.

The Daily Gazette and Daily News said the incident happened back in June 2001. All records in the case, including the nature of the arrest have since been sealed.

A veteran Albany County Assistant District Attorney was fired as a result of how the case was handled.

District Attorney Paul Clyne has an office policy to always be informed when cases of a sensitive nature arise.

He said he was shocked when he heard about the Ritter case, and fired Cynthia Preiser after 15 years of service.

Both Ritter and his attorney declined comment on the case.
Efforts to reach Cynthia Preiser have also been unsuccessful.

Ritter has appeared as a commentator on national news networks, and right here on Capital News 9.

Ritter gained national attention as a former UN weapons inspector in Iraq for his outspoken opposition to the Bush administration policies in Iraq.

[fight_truth_decay]

CRIMENETDAILY
Reports claim Ritter arrested in sex sting
Does ex-weapons inspector pressing impeachment have own legal trouble?

Posted: January 19, 2003
7:11 p.m. Eastern



© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com


Scott Ritter, the former weapons inspector who says President Bush should be impeached for his Iraq policy, was secretly arrested and prosecuted in New York a year and a half ago after allegedly being caught in an Internet sex sting, say law enforcement sources in published reports.


Scott Ritter

The Schenectady Daily Gazette and New York Daily News report Ritter was arrested in June 2001 for allegedly having an online sexual discussion with someone he thought was an underage girl. It turns out that "girl" was really an undercover police investigator, according to the Daily News whose sources spoke on condition of anonymity.

Ritter lives in the Albany suburb of Delmar, and was reportedly arrested by police in Colonie, N.Y.

The case was apparently kept so secret, the head local prosecutor did not even know it existed.

The Daily Gazette reports Albany District Attorney Paul Clyne fired veteran Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Preiser last week when he finally learned of the matter.

"I was shocked and angered to learn that the case had been disposed of by one of my assistant district attorneys without consulting me," Clyne told the paper. "Any arguably sensitive case should be brought to my attention."

Sources told the Gazette that Ritter's attorney and a town court judge agreed to adjourn the matter in contemplation of a dismissal.

That generally means the case is on hold for six months, and if the defendant doesn't get into trouble, the case is usually dismissed and the record sealed. The adjournment means neither an admission of guilt or innocence. The charge was reportedly a class B misdemeanor.

For his part, Ritter claims he knows nothing of the arrest.

"Sorry, you must have the wrong person," said Ritter when contacted at his home by the Daily Gazette.

Ritter's legal name is William Scott Ritter, and the town attorney's office in Colonie reportedly confirmed that an arrest record for Ritter did exist, though it declined any further disclosure, saying it was exempt.

As WorldNetDaily reported yesterday, Ritter is calling for the ouster of President Bush for what he feels are unnecessary and murderous actions in the conflict with Iraq.

"I would be in favor of the impeachment of President Bush for high crimes and misdemeanors," the 41-year old former Marine told WND. "Murder is a high crime and misdemeanor, and I can't think of any better definition than murder when he talks about American service members and putting them in a war which is not only illegal but is based on a foundation of lies."

"When you go to war you open up a Pandora's box, the results of which cannot be predicted," he said. "Therefore, there better be a darned good reason to go to war. It's got to be worth the sacrifice that you're asking others to make."

WorldNetDaily recently interviewed Ritter via telephone as he drove from his New York home to appear on Fox News. Throughout the interview, he contended that media have consistently missed his primary concern regarding the proposed military strike against Iraq.

Ritter said the issue is the abrogation of the rule of law, which he views as setting the U.S. up for a particularly nasty potential scenario – U.S. troops cornered in Iraq, subject to chemical attack, which then prompts the use of nuclear weapons by the U.S.

"The Bush administration has put forward a nuclear policy planning document which clearly states a scenario in which nuclear weapons can be used pre-emptively and that scenario is tens of thousands of troops in a hostile land, threatened by the potential of chemical and biological weapons," he said. "And clearly, Iraq could evolve into such a situation.

"What's wrong with diplomacy, what's wrong with inspectors, what's wrong with the rule of law?" he asked.

WorldNetDaily asked Ritter whether he agreed with the contention that Bush's foreign policy constituted a violation of the United Nations and Nuremberg charters.

Ritter reiterated that the U.S. is a signatory to the U.N. Charter, which "stipulates that war is rejected as a means to resolve disputes and conflicts," although he allowed that there are exceptions, as "when the collective, the U.N. Security Council, finds a situation exists that threatens international peace. Then under chapter seven of the charter, it can be resolved by use of force."

Still, Ritter does not find the current situation in Iraq to meet this criteria, and therefore views the idea of a pre-emptive strike as unconstitutional and a violation of American law.

"It has no grounds in legality," he said.

"This is a constitutional issue," he continued. "I think there can be no doubt his policy is a violation of the Constitution, except that constitutional lawyers will say that judicial system will not get involved in matters of national security … There are interpretation issues – what are the limits of executive authority? … I think that it's not so much the legality of his actions. I view it as being unconstitutional … I'm sure many will say the president has these authorities regarding national security."

Ritter also said that impeachment and indictment were legitimate issues.

"What I would find to be grounds of impeachment is the president lying to the American people," he said. "I believe the president has lied to the American people. I believe the vice president has lied to the American people.

"And if we go to war where American service members are killed, I think the president should be held accountable for this judicially," Ritter stated.

"I would be in favor of the impeachment of President Bush for high crimes and misdemeanors," said Ritter. "Murder is a high crime and misdemeanor, and I can't think of any better definition than murder when he talks about American service members and putting them in a war which is not only illegal but is based on a foundation of lies."

WND also asked Ritter about comments he made in an interview with William Pitt, appearing in the book "War on Iraq: What Team Bush doesn't want you to know."

In that interview, Ritter said that "Donald Rumsfeld was politically dead. No one thought of Donald Rumsfeld as having any potential. Paul Wolfowitz was seen as a raving lunatic of the far right. Richard Perle is not called 'The Prince of Darkness' without cause."

Ritter characterized the leaders as "sniping from the fringes," and said "suddenly they're running the show," adding that for this reason, these are "extremely dangerous times."

WND asked Ritter whether he viewed these people as having taken this turn since taking office, or always having been that way.

"Well, they were always this way," he said. "Wolfowitz was always a very dangerous man. He is a walking affront to the Constitution of the U.S. He is a walking affront to international law. The same with Richard Perle . He was openly boastful how President Bush has no other choice but go to war because he's committed too much political capital."

Ritter concluded, "If Richard Perle thinks [that's] a reason to go to war then he might as well remove the American flag from outside his building and put on a swastika and call himself what he is, which is a Nazi. This is the rule of law, not about going to war for political convenience of any single individual."

WorldNetDaily then asked Ritter why, if these political figures were always this way, he voted them into power by voting for President Bush. The former U.N. inspector argued that he didn't vote for them, just for Bush, adding that Gore was a "known commodity – a liar," and that he had actually initially supported Sen. John McCain.

[xzins]

The First Amendment is 100% applicable to the internet. Period. If you can say it or print it in the "real world," you can say it here.

I'm honestly not trying to special plead for Ritter.

I'm totally surprised however that his crime is "sexual talking to an underage girl" on the Internet. Apparently they charged him for that, OR there's something much more incriminating missing in this story.

[Timesink]

The daily Chris Matthews Hardball email just came in. It does include a link to the original Daily News story about Ritter. Doesn't necessarily mean Matthews will discuss it on-air, but now we know he knows about it.

[xsmommy]

LMAO!

[Zebra]

I think a lot of the story will come to light when we learn more about this Cynthia Preiser.

Who knows about her?

[Cultural Jihad]

How much more incrimination do you need? That he was attempting to assault the innocence of more than one 12-year-old? Sheesh.

[Timesink]

I'm totally surprised however that his crime is "sexual talking to an underage girl" on the Internet. Apparently they charged him for that, OR there's something much more incriminating missing in this story.

Well, it would depend on the law in NY State, I guess. But I agree; I think there's more to this than we've been told.

[donozark]

Line between "attempted statutory rape" and the actual act may be blurred in some states. No attorney here, and totally unfamiliar with NY state law. However, I am very familiar with nearby case. The man actually showed up at mall to "meet" this particular "young girl." She was an undercover cop. He is in the slammer-5-7 years....

Would be interesting to know just how far Ritter "went."

[xzins]

reread #11 and read #16

Something is missing here. How can they make talking illegal? Something doesn't ring true about that.

I'd bet money that it was a plea bargain of sorts, that that's why the DA is so upset with his deputy, and that this had to get into the area of meeting and maybe even touching.

[fight_truth_decay]

for allegedly having an online sexual discussion with someone he thought was an underage girl. It turns out that "girl" was really an undercover police investigator, according to the Daily News whose sources spoke on condition of anonymity.

the town attorney's office in Colonie reportedly confirmed that an arrest record for Ritter did exist, though it declined any further disclosure, saying it was exempt.

The charge was reportedly a class B misdemeanor

[xzins]

That's what I'm thinking...see my #18 post.

Maybe he solicited child porn photos...something.

I don't think a state can criminalize "talking." 14th amendment says all rights apply within every state, doesn't it?

[dc27]

I was wondering who payed the bribe for this guy. Shillary makes a lot of sense!

[afraidfortherepublic]

Please correct the spelling of Scott Ritter's name in the headline. the "d's" will befuddle the search engine.

[dc27]

Usually, these guys get busted when they set up a meeting with the undercover cop.

[Registered]

You are right.

[scannell]

Slow down here,.......this is just about sex!

[xzins]

If that's the case, we should be told the truth. He was busted for arranging a meeting.

[Cultural Jihad]

I don't think a state can criminalize "talking."

LOL! And rape is "just touching" while counterfeiting is "just an arts and crafts hobby."

[Registered]

LOL.

[donozark]

Yes. Had to have been an overt act of some type. But will we ever know? And even then, it may have been plea-bargained down to lesser offense. Most cases normally are.

But it seems to me the fix was in...

[xzins]

I think this adds great credibility to the thought that perhaps Iraqi intelligence caught him up to something before US intelligence did.

[xzins]

????

read the tag line

[Cultural Jihad]

Ah, I left my psychic cap in the car... ;)

[xzins]

that's where I left my tin foil :>)

[xzins]

Also, I think your Sarcasm Detector is in the "off" position. You need to turn it back on. Life is more colorful that way. LOL.

[Timesink]

Please correct the spelling of Scott Ritter's name in the headline. the "d's" will befuddle the search engine.

Ugh...can't believe I did that. Thanks for noticing it.

[canuck_conservative]

I don't think a state can criminalize "talking."

What about libel, uttering death threats, shouting "fire" in a crowded theatre, etc.?

[happygrl]

Well, I guess this story will emasculate his position on Iraq.

[Miss Marple]

From MSNBC and an Albany Station (which also has a mug shot):

According to police, the intent of that meeting was so that she could watch him perform sexual acts on himself.

[xzins]

read my #4

[xzins]

Bingo....I knew it had to be more than talking.

[Timesink]

Shermy found the following juicy article (with full accompanying thread):

Albany/Schenectady, NY
Top stories from:

			Police can't confirm Ritter's arrest Controversy surrounds former weapons inspector
			Jan. 20 -- Police released this mugshot following the arrest of William Ritter in June 2001. Lindsay Cohen reports.

ALBANY, NY, Jan. 20 - Scott Ritter of Delmar is well known internationally as an outspoken, former U.N. weapons inspector. Now more information is coming to light about Ritter's past and a disturbing arrest.

More stories from NewsChannel 13

By Lindsay Cohen

COLONIE POLICE CANNOT comment on whether or not they actually arrested Ritter on charges he solicited an underage girl over the Internet.  They say this is because if an arrest was made, it was sealed during court proceedings.      "Well generally speaking, if during the course of a court proceeding the defense asks for a sealing order based on a plea to a very lesser charge, a court can issue that under the CPL 160-50, which basically seals the entire record from the point of its start to the point of its finish," Deputy Police Chief Steve Heider explained.      The Daily Gazette first reported over the weekend that Ritter -- whose full name is William Scott Ritter -- was arrested in June 2001.      The New York Daily News further reported that Ritter's arrest was part of an Internet sting.  The report said he was arrested for having sexual discussions over the Internet with a person he thought was an underage girl. This individual turned out to be an undercover police officer.      Both reports say that Ritter later struck a deal with Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Preiser that allowed the case to be dismissed and the records sealed.  The reports also say Preiser was fired on Friday for failing to inform Albany County District Attorney Paul Clyne of the case.      However, NewsChannel 13 reported in June 2001 about an arrest of a 39-year-old William Ritter of Delmar on charges he tried to lure a 16-year-old girl he met on the Internet to a Burger King in Menands.  According to police, the intent of that meeting was so that she could watch him perform sexual acts on himself.      At that time police said William Ritter was arrested before doing anything, but was facing multiple misdemeanor charges for trying to solicit an underage girl for sexual reasons.      Ritter's attorney, Norah Murphy, confirmed that he was arrested in the town of Colonie in June 2001.      Ritter has not returned calls for comment.  His wife told NewsChannel 13 on Sunday that she had no comment on these charges.

By the way, that "play video" button above actually works! (Once you get past the stupid ad.)

[rolling_stone]

Try solicitation of a minor, that might be it NY penal code:

Section 100.08 Criminal solicitation in the third degree

A person is guilty of criminal solicitation in the third degree when, being over eighteen years of age, with intent that another person under sixteen years of age engage in conduct that would constitute a felony, he solicits, requests, commands, importunes or otherwise attempts to cause such other person to engage in such conduct.

Criminal solicitation in the third degree is a class E felony.


http://wings.buffalo.edu/law/bclc/web/NewYork/nyart100.htm

sex with person under 14 is apparently a class D Felony

Section 130.30 Rape in the second degree

A person is guilty of rape in the second degree when, being eighteen years old or more, he or she engages in sexual intercourse with another person to whom the actor is not married less than fourteen years old.

Rape in the second degree is a class D felony.


or even worse:
235.22
http://wings.buffalo.edu/law/bclc/web/NewYork/ny3(a)(2).htm

Nothing but supposition until the actual facts come out., but all felonies...

[George W. Bush]

"I was shocked and angered to learn that the case had been disposed of by one of my assistant district attorneys without consulting me," Clyne told the paper. "Any arguably sensitive case should be brought to my attention."

Translation of those who don't speak New Yorkese: "My assistant D.A., a Democrat like myself, tried to reap the political profits of service to the Party machine in dealing with the Ritter device privately, cutting me out of the action. So I fired her to make sure my underlings don't undermine my ongoing efforts to accumulate political capital to further my ambitions for higher office on a Party ticket."

[donozark]

Thanks for posting statutes. "All felonies" as you say. However, I would think since (post 38) he was planning on "pleasuring himself" as opposed to an "offensive touching" which most states require (for felony conviction), this action of Ritter's would be a misdemeanor, even if he carried it out(poor choice of words).

Of course it is all conjecture until facts are known-if we can ever find them out.

Boy, I sure feel better knowing the nation's self-appointed, number one authority on Iraq's WMD was a carrot-cuffer!

[Aaron0617]

PMSNBC just reported it on its half hour break.

Mein Fuerer I can Valk!! It has legs and is running.

I hope it continues to spread. In any event I think his commenting career is over.

[rolling_stone]

Yes when i posted that I was not aware of the more recent specifics..does look like a misdemeanor, but it sure has ruined old Scotty boy! I always thought he was a wacko and guess he really is...

[Timesink]

It's being talked about on Usenet!!

"No Comment" by Ritter's Attorney (10 posts

Traitor & Saddam Apologist Scott Ritter Was Arrested In Pedophile Sting? (8 posts>

Ritter BUSTED in Sex Sting. Covered Up. (7 posts)

Scott Ritter. Child Rapist... (24 posts)

Saddam Apologist Scott Ritter Was Arrested Before For Being A Sex Pervert!! LOL! (6 posts)

Scott Ritter's Pedophilia Arrest (9 posts)

Plus many more! Just keep an eye open on Google Groups for the latest.

[mrustow]

While I despise Ritter, the scheme that lead to his arrest stinks of entrapment, and the "crime" has a dubious legal foundation.

[mrustow]

P.S. Should the goverment be in the business of luring people into committing crimes, so it can then arrest them?

[woofie]

Why is this not on Drudge?