Mar 14, 2008 7:01 pm US/Eastern
Investigation Turns To Spitzer Security Detail
Attorney Worried State Troopers May Be Made Scapegoats
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Sources tell CBS 2 HD the members of Eliot Spitzer's security detail may soon be the focus of the investigation into the prostitution scandal.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
The investigation into the Eliot Spitzer scandal is heating up. The state troopers who were assigned to the outgoing governor during his Washington tryst may be forced to answer questions themselves.
Sources tell CBS 2 HD that prosecutors may soon be talking to two of the troopers assigned to Spitzer's security detail the night he allegedly met with the reported prostitute "Kristen," now revealed as Ashley Dupre, for an alleged tryst in the swank Mayflower Hotel last month.
The troopers stayed at the same hotel as Spitzer, as did two of his aides who are also expecting to get the call from the feds to tell what they know. Noted defense attorney Gerald Shargel told CBS 2 HD that's to be expected.
"It is normal that there be an investigation? Yes," Shargel said.
Some in the law enforcement community are said to be interested in finding out how Spitzer, who apparently registered for two separate rooms for himself at the hotel, could have met Dupre without the knowledge of the troopers assigned to protect him. Shargel worries the troopers might be singled out unfairly.
"Might some heads roll? Yes. Might some people be reassigned to some dark corner in western New York? Yes," Shargel said. "But when you think about it, what did the police do that's so wrong? It's a person's prerogative to go to sleep at a particular time and, frankly, to sleep with whomever he wishes."
New York State Police sources tell CBS 2 HD they are unaware of any misconduct allegations against the troopers at the present time.
"The fact that the police are guarding him doesn't mean they're supposed to get on the phone and call him in and say he's cheating on his wife," Shargel said. "I don't think that's their responsibility."
Some lawyers are wondering if this rises to the level of a crime.
"I don't know whether it's important," attorney Ronald Fischetti said. "It may be more political than legal."
A spokesman for the state police told CBS 2 HD they will fully cooperate in any federal probe, and make the troopers available whenever prosecutors want to question them.
One of Spitzer's aides told CBS 2 HD he was expecting a call to talk to them as well.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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