NY Democrat Governor Spitzer to Resign Following Reports of 'Involvement' With Prostitution Ring,
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer apologized to his family in an appearance before reporters Monday following reports that he was linked to a high-profile prostitution ring.
Spitzer is believed to be an individual linked to a high-profile prostitution ring charged by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Sources told FOX News he is expected to submit a resignation later to the New
More..York General Assembly Monday evening.
Spitzer did not mention resignation in his brief appearance nor has an indictment been unsealed against him.
"Over the past nine years — eight years as attorney general and one as governor — I have tried to uphold a vision of progressive politics that would rebuild New York and create opportunity for all. We sought to bring real change to New York and that will continue," Spitzer said.
"Today, I want to briefly address a private matter. I have acted in a way that violates my obligation to my family, and that violates my — or any sense of right and wrong. I apologize first, and most importantly, to my family. I apologize to the public, who I promised better.
"I do not believe that politics in the long run is about individuals, it is about ideas for the public good and doing what is best for the state of New York. "But I am disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family. I will not be taking questions. Thank you very much. I will report back to you in short order. Thank you very much," Spitzer said.
Spitzer scheduled the abrupt announcement from his office as news reports were breaking that the governor told staffers about his alleged involvement in the prostitution ring.
Spitzer, who was especially tough on corporate crime as New York attorney general, told his staff Monday that he was involved in the ring, according to The New York Times' Web site, citing an anonymous administration official. No further details regarding his involvement were immediately available.
Just last week, four arrests were made in connection to the high-profile prostitution ring known as the Emperors Club that served big-dollar clients.
The Smoking Gun Web site reported that federal agents swooped down on the alleged call girl ring last week. A detailed FBI affidavit obtained by the Web site showed that the high-priced agency was populated by very picky hookers.
In the affidavit, one prospective hooker refused to work for the company because it didn't pay enough and complained that a friend of hers had sex twice in an hour without getting dinner first. In another wiretapped conversation outlined in the affidavit, Emperors Club employees complained about a hooker who had to leave appointments early to pick up her kids from school, TSG reported.
According to a press release distributed by the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York last Thursday, the four individuals allegedly running the operation had been charged with laundering more than $1 million through two front accounts.
The club's Web site shows a fee schedule of $1,000 per hour for a three-diamond prostitute and $3,100 per hour for a seven-diamond prostitute. Members of the exclusive Icon Club could reach restricted areas of the Web site and schedule appointments with the highest prostitutes, whose fees started at $5,500 per hour, the press release reads.
The Times reports that a source with knowledge of the governor’s role believes the governor is one of the men identified as clients in court papers relating to the Emporers Club.
The New York Sun reports that the investigation was run by U.S. attorneys who not only were probing individuals linked to the ring, but who are part of the federal public corruption unit that investigates wrongdoing by elected and unelected officials.
Spitzer is married with three children.
Spitzer's popularity has sagged according to recent polls. A January 25 Marist College poll showed 56 percent of registered voters did not approve of Spitzer's job, and he only carried a 35 percent approval rating.
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Added: Mar 10 2008 In: news_politics
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