Legal Commentary

Eliot Spitzer Cleared of Financial Wrongdoing

By Jeralyn

Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer got good news today. Federal prosecutors announced they will not file charges against him.

"I appreciate the impartiality and thoroughness of the investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office and I acknowledge and accept responsibility for the conduct it disclosed," Spitzer said in a statement today. "I resigned my position as Governor because I recognized that conduct was unworthy of an elected official."

That Spitzer won't be charged is only part of the story. The real news is that Spitzer has been cleared of financial wrongdoing.

Prosecutors had considered bringing charges connected to money laundering, or "structured withdrawals" to hide illegal movement of funds.

"After a thorough investigation, this office has uncovered no evidence of misuse of public or campaign funds," said U.S. attorney Michael J. Garcia.

As to no filing of prostitution-related charges, he was treated the same as everyone else:[More...]

The federal prosecutor said Spitzer acknowledged "he was a client of, and made payments to the Emperors Club VIP" but that the decision was in keeping with Justice Department policy "and the longstanding practices of this office" not to bring criminal charges against the customers of prostitution services.

Given "Mr. Spitzer's acceptance of responsibility for his conduct, we have concluded that the public interest would not be further advanced by filing criminal charges in this matter," the prosecutor said.

All of our coverage of the case is assembled here.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on November 06, 2008 (boomark / email).