Spitzer Background, Timeline

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) has not been charged with a crime, but media reports suggest he is at risk because of the manner in which he paid for prostitutes -- not for engaging a prostitute, per se.

By making payments in such as way as to disguise their purpose, he may have run afoul of the law on "structuring." The prohibition on structuring is designed to thwart drug deals or bribes; see the statute and the regulations.

I am not a lawyer, but the timeline of this event -- from recognition to indictment disclosure -- seems unusually accelerated. [There is no indictment because there has been no grand jury investigation. See more at Talk Left.]

There were 10 clients identified by number in the affidavit; will the other nine names also be leaked? Comments?

Moreover, as Scott Horton notes at Harpers (tip):

...this prosecution was managed with staffers from the Public Integrity Section at the Department of Justice. This section is now at the center of a major scandal concerning politically directed prosecutions. During the Bush Administration, his Justice Department has opened 5.6 cases against Democrats for every one involving a Republican...

All of these facts are consistent with a process which is not the investigation of a crime, but rather an attempt to target and build a case against an individual.

Timeline

• 2003 - As Attorney General, Spitzer "brought suit against a Queens company suspected of planning sex tourism trips to Asia... 'The company purports to be a traditional travel agency, but through its actions promotes prostitution and the abuse of young women,' Spitzer said."
• 2006 - Former prostitute cooperates with federal agents
• January 2007 - Spitzer inauguration as governor.
• ? 2007 - Internal Revenue Service begins inquiry into suspicious wire transfers
• September 2007 - Albany County district attorney clears Spitzer and aides of any illegal conduct in an investigation of Sen. Majority Leader Bruno’s use of state helicopters and state police cars. (tip)
• October 2007 - State Republican leaders subpoena two of Spitzer's aides, despite DA decision that there was no wrong-doing in the investigation of Bruno's travel. (tip)
• October 2007 - Homeland Security Chief Chertoff complains about Spitzer proposal to provide driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. (tip)
• October 2007 - Investigation into prostitution ring begins
• January 2008 - Investigation obtains wiretap
• 25 January 2008 - Investigation obtains search warrant for emails
• 11 February 2008 - Wiretaps renewed
• 13 February 2008 - Client 9, believed to be Spitzer, arranges for prostitute to visit him in DC
• 6 March 2008 - four people charged with operating a prostitution ring and laundering money; charge is by complaint, not indictment
• 7 March 2008 - NYT asks Spitzer about his involvement; also, a federal official reportedly contacts his office
• 9 & 10 March 2008 - Spitzer notifies aides of his involvement
• 10 March 2008 - Spitzer publicly acknowledges involvement, apologizes

^{Related:
NY Governor Latest Politico In Sex Scandal
Sex & Politics In America}