* Illinois political reporters are just so much more versatile than our counterparts in most other states. We cover it all, man.
Today is no exception, the Chicago Tribune has found Scott Lee Cohen’s ex-girlfriend, who was once convicted of prostitution and had Cohen arrested for domestic abuse. Apparently, Amanda Eneman is still with the same massage outfit, which has relocated to Villa Park, and she didn’t want to be found…
At that point, the reporter gave the [massage parlor employer] his Tribune business card and asked her to have Eneman call him. Later Thursday, a woman called the reporter’s desk and left a voice-mail message, stating: “Hi. I received your business card. You’re looking for me. I don’t know exactly what it could be that you need to find me. I would appreciate that you make no further contact to locate me. Thank you.”
Ms. Eneman obviously doesn’t read the papers.
The story takes a comic turn…
Later Thursday, another reporter returned to the massage parlor and encountered two women, including one who fit Eneman’s physical description. The reporter addressed that woman as “Mandi,” and asked to talk to her. She said nothing, but another woman with her yelled, “Quick–run to the car!” and told the reporter they wanted nothing to do with the story.
I thought Cohen said that if this woman was found she’d be glad to tell her story? Oh, well.
The Trib has lots more on Eneman’s arrest and Cohen’s ever-changing story…
While Cohen has not given a detailed timeline for his relationship with Eneman, his statements indicate that he likely met her around April 2005. Glenview police shut the spa down after the April 22 arrests, and Cohen has said that his relationship with Eneman lasted “five or six months.” The incident that led to the battery charge occurred Oct. 14, about six months after her arrest. She pleaded guilty Oct. 27 to the prostitution charge, meaning she was charged and dealing with that case while they lived together at Cohen’s Gold Coast apartment.
When the Tribune first asked Cohen about the relationship on Wednesday, Cohen said through a spokesman that he met her in a bar. But Thursday he acknowledged that he met her at Eden Spa. Cohen said Thursday that the first explanation was a misstatement by his spokesman.
What a mess.
* Meanwhile, US Sen. Dick Durbin has called on Cohen to quit the ticket…
“He really should spare himself, and his friends and family what he’s about to go through,” Durbin said in an interview with WBBM-AM radio, the local CBS affiliate. “I’m afraid the disclosures so far really disqualify him.”
The last time Dick got involved in something like this, he screwed everything up and we wound up with Roland Burris representing us in the US Senate. Perhaps he should think twice before jinxing us again.
*** UPDATE 1 *** I forgot to add that Scott Lee Cohen’s website has removed a link to its endorsement page. In a typically stupid move, he left the actual page on his server. Click here to see it. And just in case he takes it down, here’s the list…
Carrie Austin, Councilman – 34th Ward
Howard B. Brookins, Jr., Councilman - 21st Ward
JoAnn Thompson, Councilman - 16th Ward
Roberto Maldonado, Councilman – 26th Ward
Bernard L. Stone, Councilman - 50th Ward
Scott Waguespack, Councilman - 32nd Ward
Deborah Sims, Commissioner - 5th District
Joan Patricia Murphy, Commissioner - 6th District
Frank Zuccarelli, Supervisor - Thornton Township
Chris Gonzales, Assessor - Thornton Township
Deyon Dean, Mayor – Village of Riverdale
Terry Wells, Mayor – Village of Phoenix
Stephanie Kifowit, Councilman - Aurora
Brain Wilson, Councilman - Calumet City
Eddy Gonzales, Councilman - Calumet City
Thaddeus Jones, Councilman - Calumet City
Roger Munda, Councilman - Calumet City
Nick Manousopoulos, Councilman - Calumet City
Charles Levy, Clerk - Niles Township
Charles Hernandez, Cicero Township Democratic Committeeman
Don St. Germaine, Kankakee County Democratic Party Chairman
Reverend Johnny L. Miller
Reverend Marvin Hunter
Personal PAC Illinois
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Ilaz Kadriu, President of the American Albanian Organization
Planned Parenthood Illinois
Getting some heat from his dear, old friends, perhaps? [Hat tip to YDD.]
And in what could be a related development, Cohen’s media consultant has shut down his website entirely.
They’ve hit the bunker.
*** UPDATE 2 - 3:48 pm *** I just called Cohen’s media consultant and was told they are no longer taking reporter questions for the campaign. That’s a complete change from as late as last night.