Additional reporting by Sophia Rosenbaum, Reuven Fenton, Priscilla DeGregory and Khristina Narizhnaya. But the tables quickly turned, and she became the focus of an extortion investigation for demanding payments from Spitzer between 2014 and 2016. Spitzer's blackmailer, 27-year-old escort Svetlana Travis Zakharova, who recently took a plea deal to settle charges she extorted $400,000 from the disgraced pol, revealed the X-rated details in. The two agreed to meet at The Plaza Hotel mid-afternoon Saturday, Feb. 13. He started to come in more and more asking for me, maybe a couple of times a week, Zakharova said. Spitzer claimed she was attempting to extort him. Legal Statement. My mascara cost $130. But she later changed her account of the incident, became totally uncooperative and refused to speak with detectives, sources said. He complained about [another girlfriend] he said she was annoying, Zakharova said. In the long essay, Svetlana details how she moved to New York City and got involved in prostitution after failing to find a job in Manhattan. MAN ALLEGEDLY THREATENED BY FORMER NY GOV. At 7 p.m., he returned to her room, grabbed her by her wrists and threw her back on the bed. A lawyer for the woman could not be reached. As part of the settlement, she was granted $7.5million, $240,000-a-year for life, and the couple's luxury Fifth Avenue apartment. Im a genie in a bottle. ', He told the New York Post: 'In sum, the facts show that Ms. Travis was highly agitated, and feared that she would be kept for psychiatric treatment and consequently not be able to return to her family in Russia. She named the Italian dancer Roberto Bolle as one of her favorite partners. Svetlana Travis Zakharova, 27, pleaded guilty on Monday to a misdemeanor larceny charge involving a toy store owner But the plea bargain also covers an indictment in which Zakharova had been. I turned 24 in March and have managed to save $200,000, by f--king for money, reads the piece, which was posted on the site Medium. Svetlana Zakharova Travis, the woman who accused Spitzer Equities head and former governor Eliot Spitzer of assaulting her at The Plaza Hotel over the weekend, was once a $5,000-a-night escort. Spitzer attorney Adam Kaufmann said in February that the woman, whom Spitzer has known "for a period of time," had phoned him from California where she had been living to say she was returning to her native Russia via New York. While at Harvard he met his former wife, Silda, who he has three children with. Spitzer hooker gets short jail sentence after plea deal | New York Post. Murray is still pushing for authorities to charge Spitzer with assault. She called 911 claiming her infamous lover had beaten and choked her in their $1,000-a-night room at The Plaza, screaming at her, What am I paying you for? when Zakharova refused sex. This is how my $60/night hotel room looks like Midtown NYC, right in the heart of the city, I truly love it! [7] Olga Moiseyeva was her coach. Youre going to be fking dead. She said they had argued over her leaving for Russia and he assaulted her, and then she broke a glass and cut her arm, the officials said. She had a long-term relationship with him and to be accused of extorting him was absolutely not true, and she would never admit to that, said Murray. Zakharova finally broke her silence about her relationship with Spitzer in February 2016. At the time, Spitzer apologized to the man for using the pseudonym. He was identified as a patron of a high-priced prostitution ring during a federal investigation, but he was never charged. The report says that shortly after 8pm, a call to. The woman who initially made the allegation was not my girlfriend. She complained about his drinking. His attempt at a political comeback failed when he lost his bid to become New York City's comptroller in 2013. Market data provided by Factset. Spitzer and Travis relationship began at least two years ago, while she was working as a high-priced call girl and he was her sugar daddy, sources said. Meanwhile, I saw his face on a store window. and and there were no grounds for us to keep her here.. 'Eliot didn't cut me, didn't choke me, he knows about my mental issues in the past and he was the only one who had helped me that night.'. Travis-Zakharova, who now lives in Russia, pleaded guilty to attempted petit larceny in Manhattan Supreme Court in October 2017 after she tried to rob a man who co-signed her lease on a Manhattan apartment. "He cooked for me, omelets, and he would put a potato in the microwave. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance has recused himself from the case because of past personal and professional connections to Spitzer. He used to make me buy sex toys, dildos . Travis first leveled the bombshell assault accusations against Spitzer, 56, that night at Mount Sinai West Hospital, where she was treated for a superficial cut to her forearm from a broken wine glass, sources said. In this video . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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After graduating Spitzer then went on to make a name for himself as the 'Sheriff of Wall Street' by chasing down corrupt financiers, and was even considered presidential material. Eventually, All he did was complain. In this March 12, 2008, file photo, New York Gov. The woman who accused former Gov. In 2007 he became the 54th governor of New York, but was forced to quit the following year amid a prostitution scandal. AHAHAHAHAHAH lets discuss how you will kill my mother and my dog? The woman called 911 from the hotel room rented by Spitzer that evening, saying she had cut herself and was distraught and having a breakdown, two law enforcement officials said at the time. Travis flew back to Moscow on a 7:30 p.m. flight out of JFK on Sunday night. Lacotte is viewed as a leading authority on classical ballet[9] contributing to the career of Evgenia Obraztsova and Hannah O'Neill. Spitzer acted appropriately at all times during this incident. The 27-year-old woman who tried to extort money from former Gov. By According to CNN, Spitzer went to visit her at Mt. In the aftermath of the violent encounter, the then-25-year-old woman threatened she would make it worse than 2008 for Spitzer, when he resigned as governor after it was revealed he was patronizing another prostitute, according to a lengthy text message exchange between the disgraced Democrat and the purported former $5,000-a-night hooker. You attempted to steal money from someone named Paul Nippes for rent owed by you for an apartment on East 37 Street? asked Justice Charles Solomon in Manhattan Supreme Court. 'I turned 24 in March and have managed to save $200,000, by f****** for money,' reads the piece. Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark says the plea bargain also resolves an indictment in which Zakharova had been accused of extorting $400,000 from Spitzer by threatening to reveal details of their sexual relationship. Eliot Spitzer resigned from office in disgrace in March 2008 when it was revealed he was a john in a high-priced prostitution ring. According to theNew York Daily News, Travis recently had an eviction notice on the apartment where she lived. Judge: Plaintiffs can keep their anonymity in suit against Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Patrick Mahomes' brother accused of assault, forcibly kissing owner at bar, How a retired detective snared his seventh 'Torso Killer' confession, It's insane that NYers can use but not buy pepper spray for self-defense: Change this now, Heather Dubrows youngest child comes out as transgender, Tom Sandoval drops out of interview amid backlash from Raquel Leviss scandal, Rebel Wilson on meeting Meghan Markle: Shes not naturally warm, March 4, 1984: Martina Navratilova defeats Chris Evert at MSG, Tom Sandoval breaks silence on Ariana Madix split amid cheating claims. By I would throw them out after we used them and then buy new ones the next time we were together, she said. She called 911 claiming her infamous lover had beaten and choked her in their $1,000-a-night room at The. Former Gov. The defense attorney for the man who was sued said "she clearly made false allegations against my client, and no criminal charges were ever brought.". And while Spitzer was still married or dating other women during their time together, he grew furious over her being with anyone else, Zakharova said. In the July 2016 document, viewed by The Post, Travis-Zakharova agreed not to contact Spitzer and remain tight-lipped about the case, or she would pay him $100,000 an amount reflecting in part both damages Mr. Spitzer has suffered and funds he has previously paid to her. In return, Spitzer agreed to drop his extortion lawsuit against her. Initial reports suggested Travis called 911 from a hotel room rented in Spitzer's name Saturday evening, saying she had cut herself and was distraught and having a breakdown, according to law enforcement sources unauthorized to speak about the incident publicly. We've received your submission. "He used to sneak me into his Fifth Avenue apartment in a black suitcase when his wife was away, Svetlana Travis Zakharova told The New York Post in aninterview published on Thursday. Zakharovas allegations against Spitzer in 2016, including abuse and a threat to kill her, did notlead to charges. She bought a dog without telling him, Zakharova said. "She was distraught and Mr. Spitzer sought to keep her calm," he said. Zakharova strolled out a free woman Monday afternoon, wearing a shabby gray coat and stretch pants, and hopped into a cab. A two-year order of protection was issued for the victim. 9.. The 25-year-old Russian woman who fled the country after accusing disgraced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer of choking her has been pictured. He has been and intends to remain fully cooperative in the event there is any further inquiry by relevant authorities, Kaufmann added. Spizter, 56, was forced to resign as governor in 2008, after it was revealed he was a client in a high-end prostitution ring. Spitzer was not arrested and the tables were turned on Travis, who left for Russia shortly afterward and later signed a nondisclosure agreement, accepting $100,000 from her wealthy benefactor. Svetlana Zakharova was born in Lutsk, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union, on 10 June 1979. The woman's arm was bandaged, and she was released. Associated Press However the disgraced politician's lawyer, Adam Kaufmann, has denied Travis' account of the incident and claims she sent Spitzer an email saying she was sorry. She served a short jail sentence. But Zakharovas lawyer Joseph Murray is now asking Manhattan US Attorney Geoffrey Berman to probe Spitzer for alleged "improprieties" in his efforts to evade the law, according to the Post. This story has been shared 174,476 times. Svetlana Zakharova en Pointe Russian ballet dancer Svetlana Zakharova rehearses for the ballet "Sleeping Beauty" at the Bolshoi Theater September 20, 2011 in Moscow, Russia. Prosecutors never brought charges against Spitzer, although they targeted Zakharova, who was accused of trying to shake him down for $400,000. Shortly after 8 p.m., a 911 call was placed and the victim was taken to a hospital, according to the report. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, accused Eliot Spitzer of choking her at The Plaza hotel, for an article titled Sex is Sex, but Money is Money., De Blasio didnt trust NYPD security to keep secrets, ex-aide Lis Smith claims, Lis Smith details how The Post outed her as Eliot Spitzers lover, Gross unshowered de Blasio wanted to get in bed with Spitzer but I beat him to it: ex-aide Lis Smith, Brian Benjamin just the latest in a long line of sleazy New York pols, Travis took a 7:30p.m. flight from JFK Airport to Moscow, Uber's fare cuts have won over the outer boroughs, Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Patrick Mahomes' brother accused of assault, forcibly kissing owner at bar, How a retired detective snared his seventh 'Torso Killer' confession, It's insane that NYers can use but not buy pepper spray for self-defense: Change this now, Heather Dubrows youngest child comes out as transgender, Tom Sandoval drops out of interview amid backlash from Raquel Leviss scandal, Rebel Wilson on meeting Meghan Markle: Shes not naturally warm, March 4, 1984: Martina Navratilova defeats Chris Evert at MSG, Tom Sandoval breaks silence on Ariana Madix split amid cheating claims. I arrived in New York City from Chelyabinsk, a city right in the middle of Russia, when I was 19 years old, with $300 in my pocket. She declined to press charges. At 11 p.m., he went to an undisclosed hospital wearing all black and a hat and identified himself as George, security footage reviewed by detectives showed. Principal dancer Bolshoi Theater and La Scala. 2011). We dont need you anymore, he said, adding, Do I need to call Bill?, a reference to the NYPDs top cop, according to sources. Lis Smith was my girlfriend, and I had and have deep affection for Lis. When the doorman would ask if he could help, Eliot would say, No, thanks. . Items recovered from Svetlana Travis Zakharova at the Plaza Hotel in February 2016 are pictured in this court evidence photo. We've received your submission. When a guy meets an escort, he wants to be nice, he wants to prove he's the best, he wants to be great. She has already served more than that while awaiting trial. The newly unearthed documents revealed new details of the incident that led Travis-Zakharova to accuse Spitzer of assault, a charge she later recanted. "The record in this case and her guilty plea speak for themselves.". Shamed Luv Gov Eliot Spitzer had his for-hire gal pal use leashes and other sex toys during kinky trysts and then tried to buy her silence, her lawyer says in new court papers. We talked about music for a little while. The $5,000-a-night Russian prostitute accused of extorting former Gov. [5], After attending the pre-eminent Russian ballet school for one year, Zakharova then joined the Mariinsky ballet in 1996.[6]. When the doorman would ask if he could help, Eliot would say, No, thanks," she added, noting that she was sneaked in this way at least 15 times. Its believed Travis wrote, I turned 24 in March and have managed to save $200,000, by f--king for money, in an article posted on Medium.com. She told doctors that Spitzer had pushed her and grabbed her by the neck, and she repeated those claims to the NYPD, describing herself as the former governors girlfriend, sources said. In the article, she boasts that she came to New York with just $300 but became successful after building a stable of clients. A 25-year-old Russian woman who has had various legal entanglements with Eliot Spitzer, the former New York governor, appeared in Criminal Court in Manhattan on Tuesday, accused of committing grand. All rights reserved. [citation needed], A member of United Russia party, Zakharova was a supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation during the Russo-Ukrainian War, which led to a break in her relationship with the Kyiv Choreographic School in particular. Yet on Instagram, she poses in a full-length fur coat, a floral-print sundress, a white string bikini and a bright-red, one-piece swimsuit with a plunging neckline. Zakharova debuted with the Mariinsky Ballet in 1996, appearing as Maria with Ruben Bobovnikov, in Rostislav Zakharov's The Fountain of Bakhchisarai. Zakharova faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top charge. Police responded and Travis said she was fine, but they noticed the cut on her arm and took her to a hospital. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Spitzer, 62, also name-dropped then-Police Commissioner Bill Bratton to cops who were investigating the Plaza Hotel incident and claimed that blood found in the hotel room after Svetlana Travis-Zakharova slit her wrist was from her menstrual cycle, The Post has learned. This story has been shared 109,017 times. The superintendent at her last known address said she was evicted last month. She said she first met Spitzer in 2010, just two years after he had to resign from the governorship in disgrace following revelations that he frequently used prostitutes. Thanks for contacting us. Smith then worked as the deputy campaign manager for former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley's disastrous 2016 presidential campaign which saw him drop out as soon as the first Iowa poll numbers came out, showing him at less than 1 per cent support. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. then called her a 'Russian whore' while ripping a wad of $100 bills, according to court filings. All rights reserved, Viral Kids' Star Ms. Rachel Is Taking a Break From Social Media After Backlash Over Co-Star Who Uses They/Them Pronouns, This 26-Year-Old Pays $0 to Live in a Luxury Tiny Home' She Built for $35,000 in Her Backyard Take a Look Inside, 5 Dead After Fire Tears Through Hudson Valley Home Overnight, Check Your Change! The then-25-year-old told Spitzer she was flying back to Russia the next day and would live there permanently. . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Also, court records filed in Orange County, Calif., show a judgment filed against her over a 2015 lawsuit that said she skipped out on her $2,285-a-month rent for an apartment in Anaheim. He said he was a lawyer and he would help me with anything I wanted. Although merely speculation, it was reported that Travis worked as a high end Russian call girl and escort for as much as $5,000.00 a night. Eliot Spitzer used to smuggle his Russian-escort mistress into the luxury Upper East Side home he shared with his wife by stuffing her inside a piece of luggage, she told The Post. Other notable appearances: Zakharova was one of the dancers featured in the 2006 documentary Ballerina. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Associated Press a leash with a choker . Snejana Farberov For Dailymail.com The youngest contestant, she took second prize and was invited to continue her training in the graduating course of St Petersburg's Vaganova Academy. Eliot Spitzer Denies Choking Woman - NBC News, Sex Is Sex. But I didnt believe him because he had holes in his underwear.". The extortion rap was dropped as part of a plea deal involving an attempted petit-larceny charge against Zakharova, who was separately accused of trying to swipe rent money from an ex-lover. You wouldnt have to deal with this now, she said. By he allegedly charged, referring to her as a "Russian whore.". "She was arrested upon her return to New York months later, in October, on a grand larceny by extortion charge for allegedly attempting to shake down Spitzer to the tune of $400,000 over two years, prosecutors alleged. Not to mention the shoes. Lets talk we had things worked out so nicely, Spitzer pleaded. Eliot Spitzer and Lis Smith break up | New York Post, Eliot Spitzer investigated over alleged choking incident | New York Post, Disgraced Ex-N.Y. Gov. Additional reporting by Kate Sheehy and Kevin Fasick. (Frank Franklin II/AP). A nice lingerie set costs at least $100; I spent $600. One of his former call girls, Rebecca Woodard, claimed in a 2013 memoir that Spitzer once pinned her to a bed and choked her in a role-playing sexcapade in her Manhattan apartment. Eliot Spitzer resigned from office in disgrace in March 2008 when it was revealed he was a john in a high-priced prostitution ring. In October 2014, Svetlana Travis reportedly wrote a tell-all of her time as a prostitute under the name 'Svetlana Z' for the website Matter. Infamous as Client 9 of the Emperors Club VIP call-girl ring, he resigned at a public press conference along with Silda, who elected to stand by him. He has been and intends to remain fully cooperative in the event there is any further inquiry by relevant authorities.". She pleaded guilty to signing the name of her former lover, toy store owner Paul Nippes, on a lease for a Manhattan apartment, costing him $18,000 when she didn't pay rent. It was not fun anymore, she said. Previous reports suggested Spitzer and Smith broke up in December. I had some good times and some not-so-good times. Spitzer has not been charged in connection to the incident, but police continue to investigate. and He pulled out money, it was a lot, maybe an inch-thick [wad of] 20s. The affair is widely believed to have been behind Spitzer's split from Silda, which was eventually agreed in February 2014. Spitzer phoned her repeatedly after she was taken to the hospital, and he showed up there looking like a burglar to try to sneak in, a source said. Lukas Mikelionis is a reporter for FoxNews.com. 'He didn't choke me,' the woman wrote. District Attorney Clark's office is handling the case after Manhattan When asked about the alleged suitcase capers Thursday, he shook his head and muttered something incoherent before jumping in a car and driving off. I think he asked for me because my English wasnt that good and he thought I didnt know who he was. She bought a dog without telling him," she said. Eliot Spitzer of assaulting her in a room at The Plaza Hotel in February has been arrested in New York City after flying back from her native Russia for allegedly trying to extort money from the former politician, police say. He tried and failed to re-enter politics by running for New York City comptroller in 2013, losing to Scott Stringer. When she returned to the country in October 2016, she was promptly arrested for her alleged schemes against Spitzer and Nippes and was held on $1 million bail. We've received your submission. Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. Ballet may be a silent profession, but Svetlana Zakharova quite often appears on the stage in front of the audience with a microphone in hand. According to her, the disgraced politician lashed out against her after she refused to have sex with him. She then said she would hand over documents of all the psychiatric facilities where she had been a patient. But I didnt believe him because he had holes in his underwear," she said. Spitzers lawyer also issued a statement saying without detail that Travis was someone whom Mr. Spitzer has known for a period of time, and added that the ex-governor agreed to meet her at a room previously booked for her at The Plaza hotel.. [2], Svetlana Zakharova was born in Lutsk, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union, on 10 June 1979. 05:55 GMT 16 Feb 2016 Every time I met a client it was a performance, so I prepared. She is on her period. Meanwhile Smith, who had just become part of Mayor Bill de Balsio's team and was widely tipped to become his press secretary, was dropped from his office. "You know whats going to happen to you? She said she just wanted to go back to Russia, a police source said. He paid her up to $5,000 a night and wasseeing here about four times a week. Upon landing in New York Monday, the woman, Svetlana Zakharova Travis, was arrested on a grand larceny by extortion charge for allegedly attempting to shake down Spitzer to the tune of. If you wanna be with me, baby, theres a price to pay. I just came to help, Spitzer initially told detectives who saw blood on the wall and door. Travis told doctors that Spitzer pushed her and grabbed her by the neck, saying she was his former girlfriend. A law-enforcement source said that Bronx prosecutors who handled the case after the Manhattan District Attorneys office recused itself offered her the generous deal because neither Spitzer nor Nippes wanted to testify about their sordid sex lives. The plea deal covers the Spitzer case, too. It was not a luxurious life. All rights reserved. Svetlana Travis Zakharova, 26, faces . Now, Zakharovas Queens lawyer, Joseph Murray, is asking Manhattan US Attorney Geoffrey Berman to investigate Spitzer for alleged improprieties in his efforts to evade prosecution. A selection of the Top 3 Variations performed by Svetlana Zakharova. "And they had a brief and amicable conversation, and then Mr. Spitzer left," Kaufmann said in a statement. This story has been shared 174,476 times. After the willowy stunner called cops, Spitzer allegedly pressured her not cooperate with police and later drove her to the airport. As part of the agreement, the Russian vixen didnt have to admit to squeezing $400,000 from Spitzer by threatening to go public with their affair. She is also believed to be a former high-end prostitute who charged up to $5,000 a night. Eliot Spitzer by threatening to expose her relationship with him and relay sordid details to his wife and the media was sentenced to 90 days in jail Monday -- a guilty plea to attempted petit larceny that covers the Spitzer case and her separate effort to steal money from a man in New Jersey, authorities said.Svetlana Travis Zakharova had flown to her native Russia in February 2016 after claiming she was attacked by Spitzer in a hotel room, an allegation his attorney at the time said was false, created by someone with "emotional difficulties. She has performed in her own solo programme, sold out across Europe, "Modanse", a more modern ballet, and "Coco", an homage to Coco Chanel featuring costumes from the eponymous design house.[11]. I've learned a lot about what men and women want and need. 'She's totally uncooperative and said that she was leaving and did not want to press any charges,' a source told the New York Post. The attorney confirmed the pair had been a relationship in the past, but wouldn't confirm when or how they had met. Spitzer left, Kaufmann says, but then returned when she asked and found her 'highly emotional' and 'threatening self-hard'. And then you fking destroyed my life! she claims Spitzer yelled. Zakharova said the hot-to-trot ex-gov loved sex toys, but he wouldnt go to the store because he was afraid of being recognized. Spitzer, a Democrat, resigned two years into his term in 2008 amid revelations that he had sex with prostitutes. I was shy and just gave him a straight massage. On the afternoon of Feb. 13, 2016, Spitzer met Travis-Zakharova for a drink in her $1,000-a-night Plaza Hotel suite, according to a March 15, 2016, preliminary investigation worksheet filed by Sgt. At one point, the gal pal wanted him to reverse his vasectomy. Svetlana Travis Zakharova, a Russian former escort, has claimed disgraced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer used to smuggle her into his apartment in a suitcase.