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.
Less..
Added: Mar 10 2008 In: news_politics
By: asscakes 
- Views: 2468 |
- Votes: 0 |
- Recommendations: 1 |
- Comments: 53
Comments - sort by newest to oldest
Should be legal anyways.
These politicians are so funny in that they try and pretend they aren't human, try and live up to a non-existent standard, and then fail and fall miserably on thier face.
Get over it. It's human nature. Get real and stop trying to create a fictitious race of beings that don't crave sex. If it were true we would be extinct.
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "MaxBlacks" (R)
Dang....too bad we are too hung up on constructed legislated morals about sex that this has to happen. It's kind of embarrassing that we are this prude.
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "shed77" (B)
democratic activity!
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "cupajoe" (R)
that's too bad. he was doing great against corporate corruption
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "lasrever" Premium
Yeah, in a way. But this quote: "Spitzer is married with three children" is why I have no respect for him. Plus, the guy has been a self-proclaimed crusader of ethical behavior, which is pitiful in light of this story. Regardless of how it looks politically and its relevance to politics, it's an embarrassment to his family and the people of New York. He should know better IMO.
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "asscakes" (R)
$1000-6000 for one hour is still cheaper and more fruitful than getting married, spending more and getting less, huh?
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "lasrever" Premium
I know. It is a sad and unexpected story. We'll have to see how it plays out. He certainly would be considered, IMO, to be a huge target for retaliation. Claiming he betrayed his family doesn't necessarily mean that he wasn't framed.
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "asscakes" (R)
The stars and moon line up; we are in agreement!
lol!
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "Dawsopolis" (B)
If the story i am hearing is right....this ***** is facing some serious jail time.
With transporting whores from NYC to DC and back he was basically participating in slave running and interstate commerce; The Mann Act, should come into effect.
So turns out the crusader against corruption was a slave running, money making, capitalist pimp...
He certainly had the people that voted for him fooled.
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "Dawsopolis" (B)
probably the main reason for his departure!
BTW, the married jokes are less funny until you speak from experience!
Just curious, for $1k-$6k per hour, is the an STD free guarantee?
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "nattyroots" (R)
Another one of the people you looked up to getting pawned. I do hope you see a petter here but then Im sure you dont.
They call them liberal blinders----take them off and look around for once please.
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "WEEDBENDER" (R)
That's true. One reason why I liked him.
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "MaxBlacks" (R)
Being married with kids and doing this is his real crime. If one want to be a player, dont involve others. While I think all crimes of personal choice should be legalized.. IE prostitution and drugs. I think anyone who cheats on a partner is a scumbag.
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "Yukkione" (R)
Another one of the people you looked up to getting pawned. I do hope you see a petter here but then Im sure you dont.
They call them liberal blinders----take them off and look around for once please.
i can't even make sense of what you're saying -- but if it's that i have problems criticizing Democrats/leftists/liberals you're wrong i think all politicians should be held to the fire
and what do you mean by 'petter'
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "lasrever" Premium
Yeah, in a way. But this quote: "Spitzer is married with three children" is why I have no respect for him. Plus, the guy has been a self-proclaimed crusader of ethical behavior, which is pitiful in light of this story. Regardless of how it looks politically and its relevance to politics, it's an embarrassment to his family and the people of New York. He should know better IMO.
dont forget the intimate style love marriage is still relatively novel especially given the history of powerful political people and their marriages. I think its really difficult to have the happy little unit family and be a politician at the same time. it all starts out dirty.
Posted Mar-10-2008 by "shed77" (B)