Suspect in Spitzer prostitution ring pleads guilty

By Edith Honan

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A booking agent at a prostitution ring that counted former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer among its clients pleaded guilty on Wednesday to conspiracy relating to prostitution and money laundering.

Temeka Rachelle Lewis, 32, was one of four people charged with running the Emperors Club VIP, a high-priced prostitution ring broken up earlier this year.

Spitzer, who as state attorney general championed anti-prostitution legislation and cracked down on financial crimes, resigned as governor in March after The New York Times reported he was a client of the Emperors Club.

In a prepared statement Lewis read aloud to U.S. Magistrate Judge Theodore Katz, she admitted prostitutes traveled across state lines to meet with clients.

"As part of the business women would sometimes travel from state to state for the purpose of prostitution," Lewis said.

The original complaint indicated Lewis talked directly by phone with Spitzer to set up a meeting with a $1,000-an hour prostitute. She will be sentenced on August 6 and faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.

As part of her plea agreement, Lewis is cooperating with prosecutors and has agreed to testify at any upcoming trial.

It was unclear whether the investigation could legally ensnare Spitzer. Federal prosecutors do not typically seek charges against clients of prostitutes.

Three other three defendants are expected to plead guilty. They include another suspected booking agent, the suspected leader of the Emperors Club and the suspected day-to-day organizer of the club's operations.

(Additional reporting by Christine Kearney, Editing by Daniel Trotta and Eric Walsh)