• Art Jahnke

    Senior Contributing Editor

    Art Janke

    Art Jahnke began his career at the Real Paper, a Boston area alternative weekly. He has worked as a writer and editor at Boston Magazine, web editorial director at CXO Media, and executive editor in Marketing & Communications at Boston University, where his work was honored with many awards. Profile

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There are 7 comments on The Harder They Fall

  1. I think Spitzer did it for the thrill. What is more exciting and daring than prosecuting prostitution and being a client at the same time? He obviously enjoyed living on the edge. “just” having a beautiful wife and kids was probably VERY boring for him.

  2. Its often true that those who condemn and fight a form of sexuality ESPECIALLY hard, are fighting against their own internal tendencies. Other examples would be: the higher incidence of homosexual arrousal among self-identified anti-gay males, anecdotal evidence of pornographic materials commonly used by ‘moral fiber’ evangelical preachers.

    And for you feminists out there, yes it DOES seem to be more of a ‘guy thing’ to behave this way.

  3. I love NY. First, one of our Congressmen gets into legal trouble after getting drunk and belligerent following a night at a strip club, now our governor resigns after being involved in a prostitution ring…good times. :-)

  4. Just read your piece with Tommy Nolan. Good points, but also know that the USDOJ has a whole wing now devoted to Human Trafficking, and they use their power to address this hotter topic more than ever now.
    The money could’ve led them to him, as they monitor wire transfers and he was moving money from accounts – you’ll find that it will show some campaign money was used, another federal no-no. They were probably already investigating the prositution ring as a Human Trafficking investigation, and he was collateral damage. The fact that the prostitution ring was set up along RICO lines (interstate commerce) gave them the federal entre they needed. But also know that many organized Human Trafficking networks are not only devoted solely to exploiting women and children for sexual purposes; they are also funneling money to terrorist organizations. Spitzer should’ve known this, as one of the most notorious rings was broken up in Brighton Beach with Russian organized crime principals when he was AG. That ring was also supplying terrorist organizations with weapons, and heavily involved in false identity creation for illegal aliens. And it all started with a prostitution investigation with human trafficking elements.

    Human trafficking is big business, and the BPD has a specialized task force to address it working with the FBI and ICE at the Family Justice Center on BU’s campus. The BPD received a Justice Department Grant to set it up so that the victims could be rescued, given immunity from prosecution or deportation, and avail themselves of the services at the FJC before reuniting them with their families. They are eligible for U-Visas and other services courtesy of the Human Trafficking Initiatives started by the Bush Administration and the Violence Against Women Office.

    Spitzer, I think, was a victim of his ego, and as Prof. Nolan stated, like so many politicians, believed he was above the law. Either way, methinks he was hoisted on his own petard.

    Best,
    Margot Hill
    Retired BPD and BU COM adjunct

  5. Our country is full of hypocrites! The French are laughing at us! I personally am not concerned with anyone’s private life and his or her sexual proclivities.
    Spitzer did not spend tax dollars to fund his freaky side. He was a good governor who was an ego maniac. The government did not suffer because of his
    unusual preference. This matter is between he and his wife and his God. Having a mistress or buying sex is not a big deal in Europe. The majority of politicians in this country are not trustworthy. It is always those living in glass houses throwing the largest stones. I would have prefered to see the man remain in office and continue the work that he is famous for against white collar crime.

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