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Excerpts from the FBI wiretap

In an affidavit released last week, FBI Special Agent Kenneth Hosey summarized the results of a wiretap on the Emperors Club prostitution ring.

Much of the conversation involves Temeka Rachelle Lewis, who handled booking clients, including the man the affidavit refers to as Client-9, who the New York Times identified as Eliot Spitzer.

Below are excerpts from the wiretap summary transcript:

"On February 11, 2008, at approximately 10:53 p.m., ... Lewis... sent a text message to Cecil Suwal, a/k/a "Katie:" ... 'Pls let me know if 'package' (believed to be a reference to a deposit of money sent by mail) arrives 2mrw. Appt wd b on Wed."

"On February 12, 2008, at approximately 2:37 p.m., ... Lewis ... called a prostitute who the Emperors Club marketed using the name "Kristen." During the call, Lewis left a message for "Kristen" that the "deposit" had not arrived today, but that they should be able to do the trip if the deposit arrived tomorrow. At approximately 4:03 p.m., Lewis received a call from "Kristen." ... Lewis and "Kristen" then discussed the time that "Kristen" would take the train from New York to Washington, D.C. ...

"Lewis confirmed that Client-9 would be paying for everything -train tickets, cab fare from the hotel and back, mini bar or room service, travel time, and hotel. Lewis said that they would probably not know until 3 p.m. if the deposit arrived because Client-9 would not do traditional wire transferring."

"At approximately 8:12 p.m., ... Lewis... received a call from Client-9. During the call, Lewis told Client-9 that the "package" did not arrive today. Lewis asked Client-9 [about mailing procedure] ... and Client-9 said: "Yup, same as in the past... "

"At approximately 8:14 p.m., ... Lewis ... called Mark Brenner, a/k/a "Michael"... Lewis told Brenner that Client-9 had just called about an appointment for tomorrow, and that he had around $400 or $500 credit...

"At approximately 8:23 p.m., Lewis called Client-9, and told him that the 'office' said he could not proceed with the appointment with his available credit... "

"On February 12, 2008... at approximately 3:20 p.m... . Lewis ... received a call from Client-9... Client-9 told Lewis that he had made a reservation at the hotel, and had paid for it in his name. Client-9 said that there would be a key waiting for her, and told Lewis that what he had on account with cover the "transportation" (believed to be a reference to the cost of the trainfare for "Kristen" from New York to Washington, D.C.).

"At approximately 4:18 p.m., Suwal... sent a text message to Lewis... stating: "Plackage arrived... "

"At approximately 4:58 p.m., ... Lewis ... received an incoming call from Client-9. During the call, Lewis told Client-9 that his package arrived today... Lewis told Client-9 that she would give him a final price later, and asked Client-9 whether he could give "Kristen" "extra funds" at this appointment in order to avoid payment issues in the future. Client-9 said maybe, and that he would see if he could do that. Lewis explained that the agency did not want a model accepting funds for a future appointment, but that she was going to make an exception that way a deposit could be made so that he would have a credit, and they would not have to 'go through this' next time"...

"At approximately 7:51 p.m... . Lewis told Client-9 that the balance was around "2611 (believed to be a reference to $2,600), but she would give him an exact number later... . Client-9 discussed how to arrange for "Kristen" to get the key to her hotel room... Client-9 repeated that his balance was '2600," and stated that maybe he would give "her," a reference to "Kristen," '3600" and have a thousand on balance. Lewis suggested making it "1500" more. Client-9 said that would make it "4100," and said that he would look for a bank and see about it. Client-9... suggested that maybe he could put it [the hotel key] in an envelope with the concierge."

"At approximately 8:47 p.m., ... Client-9 told Lewis that the door would be open... Lewis told Client-9 that his balance was $2,721.41, and that if he wanted to do an additional "1500" or even "2000" it would be better. Client-9 said that he did not know if he could get to a machine to do that, but he would see. Lewis said that 'Kristen" would go directly to room 871. Client-9 asked Lewis to remind him what 'Kristen" looked like, and Lewis said that she was an American, petite, very pretty brunette, 5 feet 5 inches, and 105 pounds... "

"On Feb. 14, 2008, at approximately 12:02 a.m. ... Lewis ... received a call from "Kristen"... "Kristen" told Lewis that "he," a reference to Client-9, had left... Lewis asked "Kristen" how she thought the appointment went, and "Kristen" said that she thought it went very well. LEWIS asked "Kristen" how much she collected, and 'Kristen" said $4,300. "Kristen" said that she liked him, and that she did not think he was difficult... Lewis continued that from what she had been told "he" (believed to be a reference to Client-9) "would ask you to do things that, like, you might not think were safe - you know - I mean that . . . very basic things."

"Kristen" responded: "I have a way of dealing with that... I'd be like 'listen dude, you really want the sex?'"

Related topic galleries: New York Times, Telecommunication Service, Hotel and Accommodation Industry, Government, Heads of State, New York, Eliot Spitzer

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