Andrew McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor, takes a look at some of the possible criminal charges that could result from Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D-NY)’s prostitution scandal. Spitzer, who’s been one of the most crusading state AGs in recent years, is in some very hot water. He’s likely to face several federal racketeering charges, violations of the Mann Act and potentially money laundering charges as well.
Gov. Spitzer was known for being unwilling to compromise with the white-collar defendants he prosecuted in New York. He shouldn’t get any disparate treatment because of his position.
I couldn’t care less what happens to Spitzer, but why is it not a single Republican called on GOP Senator David Vitter to resign after he solicited a prostitute a few short months ago? And why were there no criminal charges against Vitter? Because he has an (R) next to his name?
Because the statute of limitations had already run. Soliciting a prostitute is a misdemeanor offense in Loiusiana and in DC, and the statute of limitations is two years in LA and three in DC.
Vitter didn’t launder money to pay for hookers, he wasn’t involved in trying to structure payments to avoid cash transaction reporting laws and he didn’t violate the Mann Act. All of those are federal offenses and felonies. If it were just about Spitzer having visited a hooker years ago, he’d probably weather the storm. With these charges, Spitzer’s going to be very lucky not to end up doing prison time.