The security detail assigned to protect Gov. Spitzer during out-of-town trips that included his hotel trysts with prostitutes is now being probed by the State Police’s Internal Affairs Bureau, The Post has learned.
Two troopers were with Spitzer on Feb. 13, when he stayed at the swank Mayfair Hotel in Washington. He spent several hours with a 22-year-old prostitute he knew as Kristen but whose real name is Ashley Alexandra Dupre.
Both troopers stayed in the same hotel, as did two of Spitzer’s aides, Erol Cockfield and Dan Cantor, according to state records.
The State Police internal probe is aimed at finding out how Spitzer, who registered for two separate rooms just for himself, could have cavorted with a hooker without the knowledge of his security detail.
State Police spokesman Lt. Glen Miner yesterday declined to comment on the probe. “In light of this ongoing matter, it would be inappropriate for us to comment on whether or not there is an internal investigation,” said Miner, citing a federal investigation into Spitzer’s conduct.
Leaders of the state troopers’ Police Benevolent Association said they were unaware of any claims of misconduct on the part of the security detail.
But questions about what the troopers knew – or should have known – have swirled since details of Spitzer’s liaisons emerged earlier this week.
A retired state trooper, who was assigned to details for Govs. George Pataki and Mario Cuomo, said every governor likes to have at least one trooper with him when traveling, usually one who is trusted and senior-ranking.
The retired trooper said it was extremely common for a governor to dismiss his detail because a pols feels he is less conspicuous when out of town. He recalled that there was never any paperwork indicating when a governor dismissed his detail.
Additional reporting by Jeremy Olshan