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Criminal Charge No Certainty for Spitzer

Resignation could soften prosecutors' stance on NY governor

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 13, 2008 5:52 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Although Eliot Spitzer’s political career is over, it remains unclear what legal fate awaits the disgraced New York governor, the Wall Street Journal reports. Spitzer’s resignation wasn’t part of any deal, the feds confirm, but makes him less of a legal target. One possibility is a deferred-prosecution settlement, in which Spitzer would admit to the crime—but ultimately won't be prosecuted.

If prosecutors prove more aggressive, they could try to charge him with “structuring”—specifically, the crime of dividing transfers of cash used to finance his salacious exploits into smaller sums to avoid raising eyebrows. But that crime is normally used to target high-end drug traffickers, and requires proof that Spitzer intended financial duplicity—not merely to avoid embarrassment.

New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer announces his resignation amid a prostitution scandal as wife Silda looks on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 in his offices in New York City.
New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer announces his resignation amid a prostitution scandal as wife Silda looks on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 in his offices in New York City.   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer walks to his waiting vehicvle as he leaves his apartment building on New York's Fifth Ave., Wednesday morning March 12, 2008.
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer walks to his waiting vehicvle as he leaves his apartment building on New York's Fifth Ave., Wednesday morning March 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Silda Spitzer, wife of Governor of New York Eliot Spitzer leaves their Manhattan residence after they returned from a press conference at the Governor's New York office Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Silda Spitzer, wife of Governor of New York Eliot Spitzer leaves their Manhattan residence after they returned from a press conference at the Governor's New York office Wednesday, March 12, 2008   (AP Photo/David Karp)
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Spitzer's fight to avoid charges
Bloomberg

Financial cover-up leaves Spitzer vulnerable
AFP

US

 
prostitution • US attorney • sex scandal • Eliot Spitzer • money laundering • Andrew Cuomo • prostitution ring • Emperors Club • structuring

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