Michael Rizzi sought advice on how to set up a prostitution ring from Kristin Davis, the ‘Manhattan Madam’, whose ‘Client 9’ was at the time NY Governor Elliot Spitzer
By Jennifer Newton
Daily Mail
May 30, 2016
A retired NYPD police officer who is accused of running a prostitution ring sought advice on how to run his business from Eliot Spitzer's alleged former madam, she has claimed.
Michael Rizzi, 44, was arrested last week at his home in Brooklyn on charges of conspiring to launder the proceeds of the multi-million dollar operation.
He's accused of running a prostitution ring called BJM/Manhattan Stakes and Entertainment between 2012 and 2016.
Federal prosecutors say the company advertised on more than 50 websites with names such as Lush Playmates. They say some clients spent more than $25,000 for a night.
Now Kristin Davis, a former Manhattan madam who claimed she offered services to ex-New York governor Eliot Spitzer, says she was approached by Rizzi for business advice.
She told radio host Frank Morano on his Morano in the Morning show: 'I met [ex-Officer Michael Rizzi] a few years back at an event. Didn’t know him before that, and he sort of mentioned that he was trying to open some sort of business.
'I said repeatedly, "I don’t want to talk about these things because that’s in my past and I don’t want to talk with some stranger about entering into an illegal venture that he kept trying to discuss."'
However, Rizzi's lawyer Javier Solano played down the claims and told the New York Post: 'There’s absolutely no connection between Michael Rizzi and Kristin Davis.
'There’s nothing there. It’s just somebody who’s trying to get back into some sort of spotlight.'
Mr Salano also maintained that his client ran a legitimate business that only provided companionship.
But according to a criminal complaint, Rizzi set up an email account to accept applications for the business and one applicant wrote: 'I am a fun loving girl who loves sex... I love sex and if I can get paid for it why not?"
Rizzi set up face-to-face interviews with applicants, the complaint said, and when one woman didn't wish to meet for an interview he replied: 'I'm sorry darling... I'm number one for a reason... I get the most business, my girls make the most money, my clients are the wealthiest people in the world.
'I will never send a model I haven't interviewed to them.'
Rizzi pleaded not guilty in federal court on Tuesday and was released on $500,000 bond.
He was a police officer for nine years before retiring on a disability pension in 2000.
Prosecutors say he set up personal and business bank accounts to launder the millions of dollars the prostitution ring took in.
His arrest was announced by the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Robert Capers, along with federal homeland security officials and the New York Police Department.
In 2007, Spitzer, the multi-millionaire son of real estate tycoon Bernard Spitzer, became the 54th governor of New York, but was forced to quit the following year amid a prostitution scandal.
He reportedly had at least seven meetings with high-end prostitutes over a six-month period, and is believed to have spent up to $80,000 on hookers over many years.
Infamous as Client 9 of the Emperors Club VIP call-girl ring, he resigned at a public press conference.
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