Svetlana Travis Claims Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer Choked Her At Ritzy Plaza Hotel
Disgraced politician Eliot Spitzer seems to be involved in yet another scandal. The former New York governor is being accused of choking a woman at The Plaza hotel in Manhattan.
As reported by the New York Post, Svetlana Travis, 25, called 911 around 8 p.m. Saturday from a $1,000-a-night suite and reported she was having a breakdown. According to an unnamed source, when police arrived and knocked on the door, they were greeted by 56-year-old Eliot Spitzer.
Spitzer sent the officers away, denying there was any problem. Nonetheless, they were called back a short time later.
When Spitzer answered the door the second time, the cops noticed broken glass, blood, and pieces of clothing on the floor. Police entered the suite, spoke with Travis, and requested emergency services take her to the hospital.
Eliot Spitzer accused of choking woman during fight at The Plaza https://t.co/620hkw7RN1 pic.twitter.com/RENH96PWif
— New York Post (@nypost) February 15, 2016
After arrival at Mount Sinai West Hospital, Travis told the medical staff that Spitzer assaulted her. The former governor showed up a short time later.
According to an ABC News report, Travis and Spitzer were seeing each other romantically for roughly two years, and she was ready to break it off with him. During a second interview by police later at the hospital, she indicated that Spitzer was angry about her going back to Russia.
The source stated that Spitzer “got upset” then threw her around, attempted to choke her, and pushed her to the floor. Travis stated she broke a glass during the conflict and cut herself.
Spitzer, however, says nothing like that happened.
“There is no truth to the allegation,” said spokeswoman Lisa Linden.
Sunday night, the NYPD was granted a warrant to examine Travis’ cell phone and the hotel suite for evidence. She has since become uncooperative and may have left the country, according to the source.
Eliot Spitzer was elected the 54th governor of New York in 2006 but had to resign two years later when he was identified as “Client 9” during an investigation into a prostitution ring. While no public funds were spent, investigators found that he had paid nearly $15,000 to various call girls. He was never charged with any crime.
“Over the course of my public life, I have insisted — I believe correctly — that people take responsibility for their conduct. I can and will ask no less of myself. For this reason, I am resigning from the office of governor,” Spitzer said during his resignation speech.
Ex-prostitute Rebecca Woodward wrote in her 2013 memoir that during one $1,500 appointment, Spitzer held her down on a bed and choked her. Woodward claimed the incident was part of a role-playing request by the kinky politician.
Spitzer is the son of real estate mogul Bernard Spitzer. After his resignation, he went back to work with his father, who passed away in 2015.
Prior to his short term as governor, Spitzer became known as the “Sheriff of Wall Street” during his 1999 to 2006 stint as New York’s attorney general. In 2013, Spitzer tried to get back into politics by running for New York’s comptroller position, but he ultimately lost the race.
Shortly thereafter, he and his wife separated after 26 years of marriage. The couple announced their split after pictures of Spitzer visiting a girlfriend were leaked to the press.
The alleged choking incident on Saturday night happened in room No. 1541 at The Plaza hotel, overlooking Central Park. The room is one of the hotel’s Edwardian Suites and is about twice the size of a normal room. The room is complete with elegant Louis XV-style furniture, ornate bathroom fixtures, and even butler service.
While Svetlana Travis said Spitzer did choke her, she refused to file any charges. However, Manhattan detectives are continuing their investigation. No arrests have been made and no other details are currently available, said Detective Adam Navarro.
[Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images for Dish Network]
