Hey folks,
I know you have already heard this on. It broke about 1:45 pm yesterday. New York Times reported it this way.
Spitzer Is Linked to Prostitution Ring By DANNY HAKIM and WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM
ALBANY - Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who gained national prominence relentlessly pursuing Wall Street wrongdoing, has been caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute at a Washington hotel last month, according to a law enforcement official and a person briefed on the investigation.
The wiretap captured a man identified as Client 9 on a telephone call confirming plans to have a woman travel from New York to Washington, where he had reserved a hotel room, according to an affidavit filed in federal court in Manhattan. The person briefed on the case and the law enforcement official identified Mr. Spitzer as Client 9.
Mr. Spitzer, a first term Democrat, today made a brief public appearance during which he apologized for his behavior, and described it as a “private matter.” He did not address his political future.
“I have acted in a way that violates my obligation to my family and violates my or any sense of right or wrong,” said Mr. Spitzer, who appeared with his wife Silda at his Manhattan office. “I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public to whom I promised better.”
“I have 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.”
Before speaking, Mr. Spitzer stood with his arm around his wife; the two nodded and then strode forward together to face more than 100 reporters. Both had glassy, tear-filled eyes, but they did not cry.
As he went to leave, three reporters called out, "Are you resigning? Are you resigning?", and Mr. Spitzer charged out of the room, slamming the door.
He NEEDS to resign. Many are calling him to do just that. Here is a guy that is relentless. He is arrogant, claiming moral superiority, and just a all around BAD guy personality wise. Now we find that Mr. Clean is not so clean. He is also Client Number 9.
This is also NOT a private matter. He broke the law. He put himself in a position in dealing with those he was investigating. He put himself in a position where he could have compromised his authority out of blackmail.
The governor learned that he had been implicated in the prostitution inquiry when a federal official contacted his staff Friday, according to the person briefed on the case.
The governor informed his top aides Sunday night and this morning of his involvement. He canceled his public events today and scheduled the announcement for this afternoon after inquiries from The Times. The governor’s aides appeared shaken before he spoke, and one of them began to weep as they waited for him to make his statement at his Manhattan office.
Please.
The Republican state party and a leading Republican legislator called for the governor to step down. James Tedisco, a Republican Assemblyman from Schenectady who has clashed loudly and publicly with Mr. Spitzer, called on the governor to step down if the allegations are true. “The governor who was going to bring ethics back to New York State, if he was involved in something like this,” Mr. Tedisco said, “he’s got to leave. I don’t think there’s any question about that.”
There isn't. Not one question about it. He has shown himself to not have cared less about his family, or the state of NY. All he cared about was paying some bimbo to,,well, you know. Apparently, he has no respect for his wife and family at all. He has become less than scum. Mr. Clean?
As questions swirled about the Governor’s political future, a swarm of reporters gathered outside the office of Lt. Gov. David Paterson, who by law would become governor if Mr. Spitzer resigns. But his staffers provided no information.
The man described as Client 9 in the affidavit arranged to meet with a prostitute who was part of the ring, Emperors Club VIP, on the night of Feb. 13. Mr. Spitzer traveled to Washington that evening, according to a person told of his travel arrangements.
The affidavit says that Client 9 met with the woman in hotel room 871 but does not identify the hotel. Mr. Spitzer stayed at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington on Feb. 13, according to a source who was told of his travel arrangements. Room 871 at the Mayflower Hotel that evening was registered under the name George Fox.
The law enforcement official said that several people running the prostitution ring knew Mr. Spitzer by the name of George Fox, though a few of the prostitutes came to realize he was the governor of New York.
Mr. Fox is a friend and donor to Mr. Spitzer. Asked in a telephone interview Monday whether he accompanied Mr. Spitzer to Washington on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14, Mr. Fox responded: "Why would you think that? I did not.”
Told that the Room 871 at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel was registered in Mr. Fox’s name but with Mr. Spitzer’s Fifth Avenue address, Mr. Fox said, "That is the first I have heard of it. Until I speak to the governor further, I have no comment."
Federal prosecutors rarely charge clients in prostitution cases, which are generally seen as state crimes. But the Mann Act, passed by Congress in 1910 to address prostitution, human trafficking and what was viewed at the time as immorality in general, makes it a crime to transport someone between states for the purpose of prostitution. The four defendants charged in the case unsealed last week were all charged with that crime, along with several others.
Mr. Spitzer had a difficult first year in office, rocked by a mix of scandal and legislative setbacks. In recent weeks, however, Mr. Spitzer seemed to have rebounded, with his Democratic party poised to perhaps gain control of the state Senate for the first time in four decades.
Though his signature issue was pursuing Wall Street misdeeds, as attorney general Mr. Spitzer also had prosecuted at least two prostitution rings as head of the state’s organized crime task force.
In one such case in 2004, Mr. Spitzer spoke with revulsion and anger after announcing the arrest of 16 people for operating a high-end prostitution ring out of Staten Island.
“This was a sophisticated and lucrative operation with a multitiered management structure,” Mr. Spitzer said at the time. “It was, however, nothing more than a prostitution ring.”
Which we now know you actually like. Maybe they did not give you a freebie to look the other way?
It goes on to talk about other questionable deeds. The AP reports that the call for him to resign is increasing. AP- Scandal puts Spitzer's career in danger By AMY WESTFELDT, Associated Press Writer 29 minutes ago
Gov. Eliot Spitzer's political career teetered on the brink of collapse after the corruption-fighting politician once known as "Mr. Clean" was accused of paying for a romp with a high-priced call girl.
As well it should. Get this.
But an affidavit based on the wiretap told of a man identified as "Client 9" — Spitzer, according to the law enforcement official — paying $4,300 in cash, some of it credit for future trysts, some of it for sex with a "petite, pretty brunette, 5-feet-5 inches, and 105 pounds," named Kristen.
I really and TRULY feel bad for his wife. She is the one my well wishes are for. He is not worthy of compassion on this. Look at the picture folks. His wife had to stand there and KNOW that everyone was looking at her as well as him. He should have come out by himself and just resigned.
"He has to step down. No one will stand with him," said Rep. Peter King, a Republican congressman from Long Island. "I never try to take advantage or gloat over a personal tragedy. However, this is different. This is a guy who is so self-righteous, and so unforgiving."
Democratic Assemblyman John McEneny said: "I don't think anyone remembers anything like this — the fact that the governor has a reputation as a reformer and there is a certain assumption as attorney general that you're Caesar's wife. It's a different element than if you were an accountant."
He needs to resign. He needs to go try to repair his family. I agree with Mr. Tobias.
Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, noted that prostitution customers are often not charged, and said charges against Spitzer might be unlikely.
"Especially if he resigns, he may just be left alone. It may be that the public is satisfied by his resignation as governor," Tobias said.
But not all are calling for his political head. Which makes no sense to me.
Democratic Governors Association Executive Director Nathan Daschle issued the following statement regarding New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's remarks.
“We have been closely following the unfortunate news coming out of New York today. Our thoughts and prayers are with Governor Spitzer and his family during this very difficult time. Governor Spitzer is a dedicated public servant with a long record of bringing positive change to New York.
This is not the time to play politics, particularly as investigations are ongoing. Until all the facts of this case are known, we should all exercise caution and restraint.”
Like he did? Nope, sorry, he needs to go. He needs to do the right thing. He didn't do it yet. We'll have to wait and see if he does it soon. He is most likely talking to people like Clinton, he is a big Clinton supporter and a pledged delaget for her, and trying to find a way to play this and keep his job as Gov. Only problem is, he has lost ANY credibility. She needs to RUN away from this guy as fast as possible. Her Husband cheated on her, NOW this guy, who supports her cheats on his wife?
But you know what folks? He is a Democrat. Which means he has no morals. If he did, he should have resigned yesterday. Hillary NEEDS all the delagets she can get. So this may get interesting.
Peter
Souces:
NYT - Spitzer Is Linked to Prostitution Ring
AP - Scandal puts Spitzer's career in danger
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