Spitzer's tangled web of deception sparked investigation

ABC News:

The federal investigation of a New York prostitution ring was triggered by Gov. Eliot Spitzer's suspicious money transfers, initially leading agents to believe Spitzer was hiding bribes, according to federal officials.

It was only months later that the IRS and the FBI determined that Spitzer wasn't hiding bribes but payments to a company called QAT, what prosecutors say is a prostitution operation operating under the name of the Emperors Club.

As recently as this past Valentine's Day, Feb. 13, Spitzer, who officials say is identified in a federal complaint as "Client 9," arranged for a prostitute "Kristen" to meet him in Washington, D.C.

The woman met Client 9 at the Mayflower Hotel, room 871, "for her tryst," according to the complaint. Client 9 also is alleged to have paid for the woman's train tickets, cab fare, mini bar and room service, travel time and hotel.

The suspicious financial activity was initially reported by a bank to the IRS which, under direction from the Justice Department, brought in the FBI's Public Corruption Squad.

"We had no interest at all in the prostitution ring until the thing with Spitzer led us to learn about it," said one Justice Department official.

...

It was the attempt to be deceptive that triggered the investigation. If he had used his Master Card or Visa the Feds would have probably had not interest or investigation.

Some have suggested that his problems will fall on Hillary Clinton. I think not. She has already had to deal with this kind of humiliation from her own husband. If anything it may trigger the sympathy vote that took her to the Senate again. Personally, I just do not like seeing women humiliated in this fashion and I have sympathy for Gov. Sptizer's wife, but I am still not going to vote for her.