As the New York Post reports, while the state Attorney-General's Office would not release details of the investigation into 36-year-old Alisha Smith, it's most-likely her night-time performances as a dominatrix will be the focus.

Quoting a "fetish source" (Folklaw is not sure what that entails), The Post explains how the prosecutor heats things up after-hours, performing at S&M events for pay as "Alisha Spark".

The source told The Post: "They pay her to go to the events. She dominates people, restrains them and whips them."

Working in the area of securities fraud by day, Smith was suspended from her $78,825-a-year job on 16 September, after The Post inquired about her S&M lifestyle.

"The employee has been suspended without pay, effective immediately, pending an internal investigation," said a spokesperson for the State Attorney-General, Eric Schneiderman.

Smith declined to speak to The Post and her attorney would not comment.

Sources of The Post said Smith's punishment is not necessarily about her S&M lifestyle but the fact that she may profit from it.

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"It is common in the S&M community for dominatrixes to receive payment for appearances at fetish parties, where they unleash tawdry torments on eager submissives," The Post explained.

"Sources cited a standing executive order in the Attorney General's Office that requires employees to 'obtain prior approval from the [Employment Conduct Committee] before engaging in any outside pursuit ... from which more than $1000 will be received or is anticipated to be received'."

In light of this rule, some may suggest that Smith volunteer her services to escape the wrath of the AG's office. However, Folklaw is not so sure her activities will be excused by the profession - profit or not.

Having said that, Folklaw appreciates that given Smith's relatively small salary (for a lawyer), and the cost of living in the "Big Apple", perhaps she was forced into her S&M lifestyle just to get by.