March 10, 2008
"Structuring" by Spitzer, and by Limbaugh
When Rush Limbaugh was investigated under the money-laundering laws for "structuring" the cash withdrawals he used to feed his narcotics habit, he was outraged, and many of his political buddies, in Red Blogistan and elsewhere, shared his outrage. I wonder whether Rush and his friends will be equally upset now that Elliot Spitzer has been caught in the same trap, though with respect to a different vice?
Personally, I see no objection to laws that make it harder to pay for illegal transactions. And of course when a public official starts moving around large chunks of money, there's a special concern about who might be getting paid for what. Your mileage may vary.
But this is a case where consistency is a virtue. Either both Limbaugh and Spitzer should have been prosecuted, or neither. I'd hate to think that politics might intrude into law enforcement decisions made but Bush appointees at DoJ. Wouldn't you?
Footnote Reportedly the first lead came from Spitzer's bank. Bankers do have some responsibilities under the money-laundering laws, and at first blush there's no reason to think that the bank did anything wrong. On the other hand, Spitzer's financial-services-industry prosecutions certainly left behind a large number of powerful people who were powerfully annoyed with him. And revenge is sweet.
Update Jane Hamsher has some more questions. Who leaked the name of "Client #9"?
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