Federal Prosecutors Examining Spitzer’s Money

ALBANY — Federal prosecutors are investigating whether Gov. Eliot Spitzer used campaign funds in connection with his alleged meetings with prostitutes, people with purported knowledge of the investigation told the New York Times.

Prosecutors have reportedly asked the governor’s lawyers about the travel arrangements for three trips—including his alleged Feb. 13 rendezvous with a prostitute at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington—and the United States Attorney’s Office in Manhattan has also asked about the governor’s use of car services during trips to Washington, the Times reported.

Spitzer’s lawyers have begun consulting with a campaign finance expert who has long worked for Spitzer’s political organization to see whether campaign money was spent on the trips, a person briefed on the investigation reportedly told the Times.

The governor, in the two brief statements he made this week as his political career ended, has not directly addressed the allegations concerning his use of prostitutes. But, according to the Times, he has told his aides in recent days that he used prostitutes only in the last eight months and never spent campaign or public money in that regard.

If campaign money was involved, it would expand the scope of a criminal inquiry, because it is illegal to use campaign money for personal expenses, the Times reported. Spitzer, a Democrat, has championed a campaign finance reform proposal for much of his tenure, according to the Times.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 3/14/08