Results tagged “spitzer”

Penis puns work overtime in the Post's leading Page Six item: "Behind Eliot Spitzer's flaccid attempt at re-erecting his public persona is a plan to run for state attorney general in 2010." Apparently the former governor, who writes for Slate and has been appearing on TV lately (even being lampooned for his comeback on SNL), think Andrew Cuomo will probably run for governor in 2010, prompting the supposed socks-on john to allegedly tell people, "My record as governor was disappointing, but the voters will remember my excellent two terms as attorney general," when he crusaded against Wall Street. But an observer points out the obvious to Page Six, "The whole idea of returning to Albany is preposterous. You can't go home again. He's a pariah. It wasn't just the prostitutes -- there was also Troopergate." In other Hookergate news, Emperors Club VIP manager Cecil Suwal is trying to interest publishers in a book where she'll reveal "the frequency with which [Spitzer] used the agency, the amounts of money he spent, and some of the details of the various encounters he had with the girls."

The Post (of course) has fun with former governor Eliot Spitzer's Today appearance: Regarding Spitzer's explanation about his hooker flings, "I have tried to address these gremlins, confront them," the Post says Spitzer made it sound "as if he were battling the furious furballs from the '80s horror flick." So the tabloid offers helpful visual aids explaining "This is a gremlin" and "This is a hooker," plus a graph comparing gremlins and hookers. The NY Times also mentions Spitzer's "gremlins" quote but leads with how the getting caught in the act did cross the Steamroller's mind.

       

A year ago today, the NY Times published a story on its website saying that Governor Eliot Spitzer, the crusading former NY State Attorney General who was elected with 69% of the vote in 2006, was "caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute at a Washington hotel last month, according to a law enforcement official and a person briefed on the investigation." And that sent off a chain of events amongst a motley group of famous (in political circles) and suddenly infamous characters. Click through for trip down Memory Lane.

Perhaps for our listening/reading pleasure (ew!): The AP reports that U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff "has ordered the government to make public sealed documents about wiretaps in the Eliot Spitzer scandal." Specifically: "Documents detailing calls on cell phones used by a prostitution ring whose clients included the former governor." See, the NY Times had sued to get the documents released—and Rakoff ruled in the paper's favor. Rakoff wrote, "There is obvious interest in obtaining information about the origins of an investigation that led, ultimately, to the resignation of the governor of New York.”

Poor Tanya Hollander. When the 36-year-old holistic health counselor tried to make a little extra money booking illicit rendezvous for the Emperors Club escort service, she had no idea she'd end up tarred for life, thanks to former Governor Eliot Spitzer's penchant for prostitutes. Now even the Buddhists don't want anything to do with her! Catskills paper The Phoenicia Times reports that Nena Thurman, wife of Robert and mother of Uma, unwittingly hired Hollander to help manage the family's New Age retreat center last summer. And Nena doesn't seem inclined to let this particular sentient being escape her nasty karma; she tells the paper, "We’re extremely troubled to learn of her problems only now, and especially troubled that she withheld what’s clearly pertinent information about her background. Clearly, had we been aware, we might have hired someone else."

Michael Garcia, who is leaving the U.S. Attorney's office for private practice, explained why former governor Eliot Spitzer isn't facing federal charges for his involvement with a prostitution ring. In an interview with the NY Times, Garcia "said that although there was evidence that Mr. Spitzer had violated the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting people across state lines for the purpose of prostitution, there were none of the other factors that traditionally weighed in favor of bringing charges, like the use of juvenile prostitutes, or commercial or other exploitation of them." He added,"I think at the end of the day that decision is the right decision. And it’s justice in that case. And I stand by it.”

Now that the feds won't press charges against former governor Eliot Spitzer for his dalliances with a prostitute (the DOJ did not find public or campaign funds were used for services from the Emperors Club VIP), many believe it was the right decision. A former prosecutor told the Times the "the federal government does not, as a general rule, prosecute johns in prostitution cases." Manhattan DA (and former Spitzer boss) Robert Morgenthau said, "The guy lost his job, apologized and was publicly embarrassed. I don't believe in kicking someone when they're down. It would only be a misdemeanor anyway." Still, a lawyer for an Emperors Club VIP booker, said it wasn't right his client faced jail, "Spitzer is much the more egregious actor here."

A woman who worked as a part-time booker for the Emperors Club escort service that former Governor Spitzer used has pleaded guilty to "conspiracy to violate the travel act." Tanya Hollander is hoping to avoid jail time. Unlike another colleague who pleaded guilty, she did not get a cooperation deal from the feds. The Daily News reports that Hollander's lawyer Michael Farkas said "if Spitzer isn't charged he'll argue that Hollander would not have been treated as harshly" if Spitzer weren't involved in the ring, "I believe he at the very least is a potential co-conspirator." Hollander, a holistic health counselor, explained to the judge that she took the job because she needed extra money.

While four Spitzer administration officials were charged for breaking the law by misusing the State Police to smear a rival, former Governor Spitzer--who knew full well what was going on--wasn't charged. State Commission on Public Integrity head Richard Teitelbaum, though, suggested Spitzer could potentially face charges, telling the Post, "If there's additional evidence that is received, we will deal with that evidence... We will pursue that evidence." (Teitelbaum's law firm did donate to Spitzer's various campaigns for AG and governor, but he said he wasn't friends with the disgraced gov.) Still, there are e-mails explicitly showing that his aides kept him in the loop in the effort to bring down former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno.

Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer seems to have turned the corner after resigning from his Albany office in the middle of a prostitution scandal. And instead of whiling away his summer at the beach, the Steamroller is planning on establishing an investment fund that will focus on turning people's failed dreams into cold hard cash for himself.

In the 1960s, New York Central Railroad invested in high speed rail and jet powered train testing, referred to as the M-497 tests. A U.S. rail-speed record of 183.85 miles per hour, which stands to this day, was set back then -- but eventually the train was scrapped for parts.

State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has kept a relatively low profile over the past several months, as Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno battled with Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who would go on to self-destruct in a highly public style. With Mayor Bloomberg's beloved congestion pricing plan past the City Council hurdle and with the support of our new Gov. Paterson, it now lays stalled in the Assembly, where whatever Silver says pretty much goes.

Accused assistant to Murray Hill Madame Kristin Davis, Grace O'Toole, turned herself in yesterday, perhaps realizing that escape from both the NYPD and the NY Media was an impossible mission. After her alleged boss was arrested and jailed on $2 million bail for running a prostitution ring linked to former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, O'Toole took off, although she was described very accurately by someone who witnessed her flight as wearing over-sized sunglasses, and carrying a travel tote and pet carrier. Cops had her Bronx apartment and her mother's NJ home staked out, and obviously the media weren't going to let the alleged call-girl ring back office operator evade attention, if not justice.

New York Ranger forward Sean Avery may be on thin ice with any woman he's currently seeing, as his name popped up in the spreadsheets of Murray Hill madame Kristin "Billie" Davis. The distaff pimp was arrested after being linked to former Gov. Eliot Spitzer--one-time state attorney general and longtime whore connoisseur. Avery denies that he knows Davis or ever used a prostitute, laughing off the incident as a practical joke by someone familiar with his high profile and playboy lifestyle. Avery has been attached to supermodel Rachel Hunter and actress Elisha Cuthbert. The hockey player is just one of many high-profile clients listed in Davis' computer records.

Perhaps realizing he's best received as a leader in a time of crisis and disarray--and no stranger to cheating on his wife while in public office--former Mayor Rudy Giuliani may offer himself as a candidate for governor in the case Governor David Paterson has to step down.

Surprise, surprise: Eliot Spitzer is being linked to Kristin "Billie" Davis's prostitution ring, which got busted earlier this week. Wicked Models, the East Side Madam's operation, toppled on Tuesday, and it looks like it's going to bring down some clients with it (rumor is the list is 10,000 strong).

Ashley Dupré has become a "don't" in the world of scandalites for not parlaying her 15 minutes into some cold hard cash. NY Mag reports on her quick decline, saying that even market analysts "are now scolding the governor's hooker for not taking full financial advantage." Meanwhile, Silicon Alley reported yesterday that while there's still a possibility of a "low six-figure" offer from Georgi Vodka in the works, what's-her-name's story is going stale; seems her shelf life was about two weeks.

Yesterday afternoon a 32-year-old woman was busted for running a prostitution ring on the East Side of Manhattan that charged $900/hour for its services. Kristen Davis (no relation to the Sex and the City star...probably) operated four websites, sending her gals to one of two apartments she kept for the illegal trysts (the magic apparently happened at both 229 East 53rd Street and 533 Third Avenue).

According to the tabloids (and the Miami Herald), apparently, former Governor Spitzer would not only solicit high-priced call girls in Florida but that he'd keep his black mid-calf socks on during the deed. Take that, NY Times story about finding the good in Spitzer's term as Governor!

Gov. Paterson appeared in Harlem yesterday, the place he calls home with his wife and the state senate district (30th) he represented before becoming Lt. Governor under Eliot Spitzer. The Governor was joined by a host of politicians--including former Mayor Ed Koch, City Comptroller William Thompson, Nassau County Exec. Thomas Suozzi, and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion--at Al Sharpton's National Action Network's meeting hall. His reception was very warm. In an effort to quiet an enthusiastic crowd chanting his name, Paterson said from the podium, "Stop, please. This is the sort of thing that makes people like us feel like we're real important."

Federal prosecutors have asked the NY State Inspector General to "refrain from launching" its own investigation into former Governor Spitzer activities (the Post translates it as "a double-life as a sleazy harlot-hopper"). Why? Because the feds says they are "looking at all aspects." Well, why not, when it seems that the feds used "some of its most intrusive tactics" against Spitzer during the investigation.

The annual press Inner Circle Dinner performance showcases the Mayor (and Broadway casts) performing skits written by the City Hall press corps, with proceeds from the $500 tickets going to charity. Last night's performance included references to PlaNYC 2030 (Planadu), calling Bloomberg "Young Mikenstein," and even a Spitzer song "Love Client Number 9." Mayor Bloomberg even wore a Xanadu-ish outfit - yellow headband, spandex leggings under shorts, and rollerskates! Last year, Bloomberg was Mayor Poppins.

First there was the Spitzer Spritzer at Teddy's and now, Sandwich #9: Hot Tongue on Rye. Eisenberg's owner Josh Konecky explains to Gobble the creative process behind today's special:

So, who came up with the sandwich? Spitzer came up with it. [pause]. No, I came up with it. Did you already order?

Continue reading "Spitzer Fallout Hits Lunch: Sandwich #9"

Now that the steamroller is flattened like a pancake, it's time to meet the soon-to-be new boss. Same as the old boss? Certainly not on the surface: Lieutenant Governor David A. Paterson (pictured being sworn in back in 2007) is a 53-year-old African-American who has been legally blind since infancy.

The Friends of Moynihan Station shared a rendering of what Moynihan Station will look like, according to NY State. According to FMS, the Empire State Development Corporation has been "reluctant" to share them, but FMS thinks "looks great," though there's a lot that needs to be explained.

Just because Mayor Bloomberg has denied running for governor in 2010 doesn't mean it has to be true! The Sun's Davidson Goldin thinks that for Bloomberg, "Running for governor is likely, and becoming more so."

The MTA unveiled its 2008-2013 Capital Plan, which explained almost $30 billion will be needed to improve mass transit and complete projects like the Second Avenue Subway, the East Side Access plan and more by 2030 (many of those projects will also be delayed). Though the current MTA capital plan doesn't expire until next year, the MTA presented this plan because the state congestion pricing legislation required them to present a plan by the end of the first quarter of 2008.

Less than two weeks after Gov. Spitzer publicly reaffirmed his commitment to going forward with plans to construct Moynihan Station despite a $1 billion funding shortfall, it looks like the matter may be out of his hands. The New York Times is reporting that the whole $14 billion project, which would involve building Moynihan Station at The Farley Post Office building and constructing a new Madison Square Garden on the site, is on the brink of total failure.

Mayor Bloomberg spoke out about the unofficial results from NYC's primary night undercounted votes in 78 districts. These districts' unofficial results raised eyebrows because no votes at all were recorded Barack Obama.

Governor Spitzer is facing opposition in his attempt to snuff out any Javits Center expansion by selling land surrounding the center to fill budget gaps. The administration still plans to renovate the convention center, but it will result in far less space than what was originally envisioned for the expansion, which would have cost between $1.8 billion and $3 billion. Senator Charles Schumer, Mayor Bloomberg and City Council speaker Christine C. Quinn oppose the land sale, which would effectively eliminate the possibility of any future expansion.