Jessica Cutler
Encyclopedia
Jessica Louise Cutler is a blogger, an author, and former congressional
staff assistant who was fired for detailing her active sexual life, including receiving money for having sex, in her blog.
, and was a photo editor at the Daily Orange, the student newspaper.
called Washingtonienne describing her life in Washington, D.C.
which included graphic details of her sex life.
Cutler justified receiving money from her lovers by saying "I'm sure I am not the only one who makes money on the side this way: How can anybody live on $25K/year??"
Her identity was revealed by the blog "Wonkette
" in May 2004, which resulted in a scandal
on Capitol Hill.
On May 21, 2004, Cutler was fired for "unacceptable use of Senate computers" by Senator DeWine. Media treatment of Cutler was harsh, the Philadelphia Daily News going so far as to label her a "DC slut". Cutler, though, has been relatively accepting of her notoriety:
In summer 2004, Playboy.com featured an interview and nude pictures of Cutler.
She wrote a novel based on her experiences and blog: The Washingtonienne: A Novel, selling it for a reported $300,000. A reviewer for the Washington Post wrote, ""The Washingtonienne" gives hints of being lively, funny and agreeably in-your-face." Judy Bachrach of the Weekly Standard wrote, "This is a novel of uncommon candor, humor, and perspicacity, and I loved every page of it."
in damages. Steinbuch's complaint and related filings, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., describe the case as for "defamation," "false light," "invasion of privacy
for public revelation of private facts," the "intentional infliction of emotional distress," and "other causes of action." She is represented by Atlanta lawyer, Matthew C. Billips, and D.C. lawyer, John R. Ates, and she had been represented by various other lawyers in the case, as well. Several of those various other attorneys discontinued representation for non-payment of their attorneys fees, and Cutler was sued by some of her lawyers for non-payment of their fees. Another attorney discontinued representation due to a conflict. Cutler's current and several of the previous attorneys lost their repeated attempts to dismiss this case.
Steinbuch also filed a $20 million suit against her in Arkansas
, where he lives and is a law professor. The lawsuit is being eyed closely by online privacy groups because it could establish if online bloggers are obligated to protect the privacy of those they name in their online public blogs. On May 30, 2007, Cutler filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to protect herself from various potential debts. Listed among potential creditors were some of her former attorneys, as well as Steinbuch. The same article reported that cable television
channel HBO and entertainment company Disney, who Steinbuch also sued, are working on a TV series about her story. The Arkansas case had been dismissed for forum non conveniens
by the district court. However, the United States Court of Appeals reversed the district judge in Arkansas, holding that he abused his discretion and ruled incorrectly. Eventually, after the case was sent back to the district judge in Arkansas as a result of his having been reversed for abusing his discretion, the district judge transferred the case to another judge.
According to the New York Law Journal, Steinbuch was ordered to reimburse discovery expenses regarding a deposition to Cutler's attorney Billips in June 2009. Billips has filed an affidavit requesting over $14,000 in fees and expenses.
, Cutler was a friend and business associate of the madam of an escort agency where Eliot Spitzer
was a client.
After the Spitzer story broke, the Post published an article alleging that Cutler was "among the inner circle of a Manhattan call-girl ring that counted Eliot Spitzer as a client...," and that she "...appeared as a "model" on alleged madam Kristin "Billie" Davis' Web site."
"They are going to want to see me for questioning," she said, referring to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
Cutler was being sought by the NYPD, along with other women connected to the ring, law-enforcement sources said.
No charges were ever brought against Cutler.
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
staff assistant who was fired for detailing her active sexual life, including receiving money for having sex, in her blog.
Education
Cutler attended Syracuse UniversitySyracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, and was a photo editor at the Daily Orange, the student newspaper.
Washingtonienne
In 2004 while a staff assistant for Senator Michael DeWine, Cutler published a short-lived blogBlog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
called Washingtonienne describing her life in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
which included graphic details of her sex life.
Cutler justified receiving money from her lovers by saying "I'm sure I am not the only one who makes money on the side this way: How can anybody live on $25K/year??"
Her identity was revealed by the blog "Wonkette
Wonkette
Wonkette is a left-leaning American online magazine of topical satire and political gossip, established in 2004 by Gawker Media and founding editor Ana Marie Cox, and edited by Ken Layne from 2006 to 2011...
" in May 2004, which resulted in a scandal
Scandal
A scandal is a widely publicized allegation or set of allegations that damages the reputation of an institution, individual or creed...
on Capitol Hill.
On May 21, 2004, Cutler was fired for "unacceptable use of Senate computers" by Senator DeWine. Media treatment of Cutler was harsh, the Philadelphia Daily News going so far as to label her a "DC slut". Cutler, though, has been relatively accepting of her notoriety:
In summer 2004, Playboy.com featured an interview and nude pictures of Cutler.
She wrote a novel based on her experiences and blog: The Washingtonienne: A Novel, selling it for a reported $300,000. A reviewer for the Washington Post wrote, ""The Washingtonienne" gives hints of being lively, funny and agreeably in-your-face." Judy Bachrach of the Weekly Standard wrote, "This is a novel of uncommon candor, humor, and perspicacity, and I loved every page of it."
Steinbuch lawsuit
In June 2005, Robert Steinbuch, who says that he is the person Cutler referred to as "RS" on her blog, filed a lawsuit against her, seeking over $75,000Amount in controversy
Amount in controversy is a term used in United States civil procedure to denote the amount at stake in a lawsuit, in particular in connection with a requirement that persons seeking to bring a lawsuit in a particular court must be suing for a certain minimum amount before that court may hear the...
in damages. Steinbuch's complaint and related filings, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., describe the case as for "defamation," "false light," "invasion of privacy
Invasion of privacy
United States privacy law embodies several different legal concepts. One is the invasion of privacy, a tort based in common law allowing an aggrieved party to bring a lawsuit against an individual who unlawfully intrudes into his or her private affairs, discloses his or her private information,...
for public revelation of private facts," the "intentional infliction of emotional distress," and "other causes of action." She is represented by Atlanta lawyer, Matthew C. Billips, and D.C. lawyer, John R. Ates, and she had been represented by various other lawyers in the case, as well. Several of those various other attorneys discontinued representation for non-payment of their attorneys fees, and Cutler was sued by some of her lawyers for non-payment of their fees. Another attorney discontinued representation due to a conflict. Cutler's current and several of the previous attorneys lost their repeated attempts to dismiss this case.
Steinbuch also filed a $20 million suit against her in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, where he lives and is a law professor. The lawsuit is being eyed closely by online privacy groups because it could establish if online bloggers are obligated to protect the privacy of those they name in their online public blogs. On May 30, 2007, Cutler filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to protect herself from various potential debts. Listed among potential creditors were some of her former attorneys, as well as Steinbuch. The same article reported that cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
channel HBO and entertainment company Disney, who Steinbuch also sued, are working on a TV series about her story. The Arkansas case had been dismissed for forum non conveniens
Forum non conveniens
Forum non conveniens is a common law legal doctrine whereby courts may refuse to take jurisdiction over matters where there is a more appropriate forum available to the parties...
by the district court. However, the United States Court of Appeals reversed the district judge in Arkansas, holding that he abused his discretion and ruled incorrectly. Eventually, after the case was sent back to the district judge in Arkansas as a result of his having been reversed for abusing his discretion, the district judge transferred the case to another judge.
According to the New York Law Journal, Steinbuch was ordered to reimburse discovery expenses regarding a deposition to Cutler's attorney Billips in June 2009. Billips has filed an affidavit requesting over $14,000 in fees and expenses.
Connection to Eliot Spitzer scandal
According to the New York PostNew York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
, Cutler was a friend and business associate of the madam of an escort agency where Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American lawyer, former Democratic Party politician, and political commentator. He was the co-host of In the Arena, a talk-show and punditry forum broadcast on CNN until CNN cancelled his show in July of 2011...
was a client.
After the Spitzer story broke, the Post published an article alleging that Cutler was "among the inner circle of a Manhattan call-girl ring that counted Eliot Spitzer as a client...," and that she "...appeared as a "model" on alleged madam Kristin "Billie" Davis' Web site."
"They are going to want to see me for questioning," she said, referring to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
Cutler was being sought by the NYPD, along with other women connected to the ring, law-enforcement sources said.
No charges were ever brought against Cutler.
Personal life
Cutler married bankruptcy lawyer Charles Rubio in December 2008. She gave birth in August 2009 to a daughter, Jessica-Louise.Books
- The Washingtonienne: A Novel. Hyperion Books (2005). Hardcover: ISBN 978-1-4013-0200-9, ISBN 978-1-4013-0847-6.
- Sexe au Capitole. Plon (2006). ISBN 978-2-259-20172-8.