Gov. Spitzer Linked to Prostitution Ring

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

Ok, if a crime is a crime is a crime, and everyone should be prosecuted evenly, then they also must be punished evenly as well. If you or I were busted "paying for it" we'd get whatever level of crime this is (misdemeanor?) and pay the fine for a first offense. No one would be calling for our job... I'm not saying he shouldn't be held accountable for his actions, but I think him losing his job is a bit much. That said, how was his performance on the job?

1) It was a federal offense for being involved in a cross-state criminal conspiracy and money laundering. Not a simple "$50 to meet me out back" situation.

2) If you were a teacher, and had sex with a student, even she/he was of legal age, people would appropriately call for your job. If you were a pilot and convicted of DUI, you probably would be a) required to report it even if it occurred off hours; and b) subject to sanction or additional supervision. I could go on.

In terms of non-criminal penalties for criminal acts, it is absolutely appropriate to consider the type of job held and the actions charged. As I stated in my earlier post, Spitzler has been implicated in a criminal conspiracy of federal proportions. As such, it is appropriate to consider his unlawful conduct, it's nature and extent, in determining whether or not he should continue in his employment as New York's chief law enforcment officer.