Look. If our governor is renting out expensive whores, is there really any speculation that is too far-fetched and irresponsible? We're going with "no." So let's take this to a new low.
Last night we were talking the Spitzer case with a former federal prosecutor who is now in private practice. It was late, and we were having something of a wake for Jimmy McNulty, the protagonist of the recently concluded HBO series "The Wire." Of course the Jameson's, McNulty's poison of choice, was flowing freely and pretty soon the tongues were wagging. The prosecutor offered two bits of insight (also known as "irresponsible speculation.")
First, he said that he was convinced the federal probe into the escort agency was an effort to get something on Spitzer. "There's no way they just happened to catch Spitzer on a wiretap. They were targeting him," the former prosecutor said.
Second, he wondered if this explained some of the mystery behind Spitzer's unyielding support for former aide Darren Dopp. Dopp was a long time member of Spitzer's inner-circle, spending much of his early career as the unofficial hit man for the then attorney general. When Spitzer wanted to smear targets of his investigations, allegedly Dopp was usually the man doing the whispering. Last year Dopp was discovered at the center of the dirty-tricks scandal but Spitzer surprised many by sticking by his aide. Even after he had been forced to step down from his official capacity, Spitzer said Dopp had done nothing wrong by taking a job with a major lobbying firm that seeks influence decisions in Albany. Why was Spitzer so loyal to Dopp?
Was Spitzer protecting Dopp because the aide was aware of his philandering and soliciting prostitution? It seems unlikely that Spitzer could have carried on a relationship with an escort service without at least some in his inner-circle learning of it. As we said, this is just speculation. But it's probably not too far-fetched for someone to start asking Dopp what he knew and when he knew it.
We're pretty sure the former prosecutor had a couple of other ideas about this case but it was our round and we missed the rest of the tale as we walked to the bar for a pair of fists full of whiskey. By the time we got back, the talk had turned back to Bunk, Omar and McNulty.
Posted by guest , Mar 11, 2008 1:07PM
I agree on Spitzy being targeted. I think Karl Rove might have known what was going on. Remember, Karl's "people" allegedly outed Valerie Plame because, if you recall, her husband was a troublesome "Democrat".
And when Senator Dr. Frist came out for stem cell research (against the party line) suddenly nes of his entangling investments were quickly showered upon the media. Thank you, Karl!
-Sincerly,
DB Reader Number 9
Posted by guest , Mar 11, 2008 1:10PM
The NY Times reports that the genesis of the investigation into the escort service was an investigation by the IRS into transactions in one of Spitzer's political bank checking accounts. There is no speculation here.... Spitzer was the target of an investigation by the IRS which lead to an FBI investigation of the recipeients of the funds which led to the escort service which led back to Elliot... The only question is whether the IRS was encouraged to investigate specific transactions or whether they randomly audited these transactions.... My guess, the IRS was told what to look for...
Posted by guest , Mar 11, 2008 1:16PM
"Follow the money....."
-"Deep Throat"
Posted by The Dungeon Master , Mar 11, 2008 1:27PM
No shit the IRS was told what to look for. Jesus, he spent his career trying bury Saloman Smith Barney, then he keeps his money at Citibank. Well guess who got the fucking notification when Spitzer broke that famous $10,000 anti money laundering ceiling with his cash transactions. Again, this is basic shit that they teach you in analyst training and anyone should know.
His fucking arrogance is the only thing this can be attributed to.
Posted by guest , Mar 11, 2008 1:29PM
The John Adams/American Revolution 7-part series is going to be amazing starting this Sunday.
Posted by guest , Mar 11, 2008 1:31PM
Wall Street took Spitzer down--some banks told the IRS to look into som "suspicious financial transactions" from NYT:
"investigators conducting a routine examination of suspicious financial transactions reported to them by banks found several unusual movements of cash involving the governor of New York, several officials said. "
Posted by guest , Mar 11, 2008 1:37PM
"Routine investigation...." "political bank account...."
Connect the dots.
Posted by guest , Mar 11, 2008 1:47PM
I am not the real "George Fox", the name used by someone else recently in a sex scandal.
I am the Fake George Fox.
Regards,
-Fake George Fox
Posted by guest , Mar 11, 2008 2:32PM
smartypants steam-roller lawyer-boy didn't know how to fudge money too well, did he.. ha ha...
btw wouldn't the mob have video footage of everything? when are we gonna see those? I really want to see Kristen do the 'difficult' stuff!
Posted by miami , Mar 11, 2008 5:12PM
After the governor transferred $10,000 EPIC FAIL by breaking it into smaller amounts EPIC FAIL, he then called the bank EPIC FAIL asking that his name be removed from the transactions, EPIC FAIL the sources said....
Posted by guest , Mar 12, 2008 10:18AM
You have to be half retarded to think that Spitzer stuck by Dopp. Clearly you did not pay much attention when "trooper gate" was still an issue. Dopp was the scapegoat, he was thrown under the tracks. Spitzer stabbed him in the back as soon as Cuomo’s report came out.
The person who probably did know about this and the person Spitzer did protect and stand by was Howard. If anyone knew what Spitzer was up to it was the state police.