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Photograph of Governor Spitzer, with his wife Silda Wall Spitzer, during his apology to his family and the citizens of New York by Mary Altaffer/AP
Governor Spitzer made a statement this afternoon referring to his apparent link to a prostitution ring." He had canceled his events and made this brief and cryptic statement:
Over the past nine years, eight 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.You can listen to his statement here. And you can also watch it:We sought to bring real change to New York, and that will continue.
Today, I want to briefly address a private matter.
I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family, that violates my -- or any -- sense of right and wrong. I apologize first, and most importantly, to my family. I apologize to the public, whom I promised better.
I do not believe that politics in the long run is about individuals. It is about ideas, the public good and doing what it best for the state of New York.
But 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.
I will not be taking questions. Thank you very much. I will report back to you in short order.
Thank you very much.
Is the reference to ideas, vs. individuals, a signal he isn't leaving office without a fight? Spitzer, whose first year in office has been rocky, is married to his Harvard Law School sweetheart Silda Wall Spitzer and has three daughters; Wall Spitzer was next to Spitzer during the speech, looking "weary."
Today, the Sun reported that "the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan may have evidence that a public official hired a prostitute," in connection to the international prostitution ring broken up last week (the one with the diamond rating system and additional investment and art dealing services). The Sun noticed that "all three of the assistant U.S. attorneys assigned to the prosecution are part of the U.S. attorney's public corruption unit."
Spitzer was caught on federal wiretap arranging for a prostitute to meet him. From the Times:
The wiretap recording, made during an investigation of a prostitution ring called Emperors Club VIP, 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 room. The person briefed on the case identified Mr. Spitzer as Client 9.The Emperors Club website had said, "As a person of immense financial and influential affluence, your privacy is sacred to all aspects of your life. As a private, international club specializing in catering to the needs of the worlds most financially and culturally elite, privacy and discretion are paramount objectives in everything we do."
Photograph, taken in 2007, of Spitzer with, from left, daughter Jenna, wife Silda Wall Spitzer and daughters Elyssa and Sarabeth by Tim Roske/AP
The Daily News' Errol Louis, on WNYC, mentioned the Mann Act, which involves human trafficking and white slavery, because the prostitute seems to have traveled from NY to DC. WNYC's Andrea Bernstein doesn't think Spitzer can recover from this scandal, if it's true. And apparently the buzz at a fundraiser for Sheldon Silver this morning was that Spitzer would resign.
If Spitzer resigns, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson is next in line (there was some talk of him running for Senate if Hillary Clinton were elected President), and after that, it's the Senate Majority Leader (Joe Bruno) and then the Assembly Speaker (Sheldon Silver).
The NY Post's Fred Dicker said there were some rumblings about a high ranking public official being involved with the ring and told 1010WINS, "This is the biggest political story, if it's true, of modern New York history." Naturally, the Governor's website is down. And if you want some Photoshop fun, check this out.
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Here's the statement from Sen. Bruno:
As Roger Daltry once said, *"YEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*
holy crap. unbelievable and insane!!
Somehow I don't think the "Day One" snark was in the Times report..
A Man's gotta do what a Man's gotta do
um, holy shit? if that's true, he's absolutely toast.
Wow, that's the end of Spitzer's career....
Out of curiosity, does "involved with a prostitution ring" mean as part of the operation of the ring, or as a customer?
Roger Stone is drunk-dialing everyone he knows.
It's almost got to be true.. you don't have this kind of response to a rumor.
This is all very similar to the McGreevey resignation.. it came out of nowhere and was done within hours. Both appear to be prompted by pending legal action.
Wow.
Just Wow.
Jesus, what could this all possibly mean? He was involved in the running of the ring or didn't prosecute it and profited or did he just love getting whores?
lol wow
I never bought Spitzer's "reformer" schtick. He always just struck me as an overbearing bully who used "ethics" as a vehicle for power. And bullies are usually overcompensating for something.
Jerk Store - great nick.
Spitzer was born wealthy. I'm sure he wasn't involved in running the ring, most likely he was just paying for high-class talent to help him relax after a hard day of steamrolling.
What an idiot. I thought it was common knowledge that escort services kept records. And to do this while in office? Didn't anyone learn anything from Bill Clinton? Keep it in your pants until you're out of office.
Whoop de do. Another politician involved in something he shouldn't be. I just assume they're all involved in illegal activities. If the story leaks, it just means they didn't pay off the right people.
urban dictionary:
clevland steamer
new york steamroller
Absolutely amazing. Really. Can't you just hear the champagne corks popping on Wall Street?
As a super-delegate, who was Spitzer supporting?
The Emperor's Club--wasn't that a bad Kevin Kline movie?
Wow. What a way to end your career...though the former NJ governor takes the cake.
Why can't we all go by the Yacht Rock advice of "Get your dick out of your heart!"
Apparently both New York and New Jersey governors aren't fans of Hall & Oates.
that pic is fuckin gold!
did the announcement happened already?
I didn't see anything on NY1
the owners of scores west must have a shit eating grin on them
I think Joe Bruno is behind this.
Pic is funny, but not as funny as putting this story next to "Pope Announces New Sins."
Spitzer, you dumb son of a bitch. I loved you like I love Obama.
(sigh)
I can't wait for the announcement...
I'm admittedly very disappointed as well. Before this, I was a fan of Spitzer - despite all of his flaws of bravado.
As a superdelegate, I believe he was supporting Hillary Clinton.
You know what's funny? 38 posts and not one Steamroller joke.
People, I know it's Monday, but...
This came of out no where.
Spitzer will go down as one of the worst governors in New York.
Spitzer, you dumb son of a bitch. I loved you like I love Obama.
do you think his "escort" spitzer swallows?
Compared to Joe Bruno he is still a saint.
Never trust a man with eye liner
Sources tell Eyewitness News that Governor Eliot Spitzer is going to resign, after being linked to a prostitution ring in a published report.
Wow
lol, look who's governor now.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Paterson
The Times says the feds have Spitzer on tape on a wiretap making arrangements to meet a hooker at a Washington hotel last month. Oy!
"Now Mrs. Spitzer, can you please explain for the court how a pimp's love differs from a regular player's love?"
Tomorrow's NY Post headline:
"I am a straight American"
Apparently he was caught arranging to have a prostitute go from NY to DC, which is a federal crime. Human trafficking, ugh.
Welcome
Thank you for taking the time to help me build a better New York. Together, we can make this great state a shining example of growth and opportunity -- the best place in the world to live, work and raise a family.
Every day we need to take a step closer toward this goal. With your help, we will succeed.
Governor Eliot Spitzer
http://www.eliotspitzer.com/
How is that human trafficking? Its nothing more than a business trip! Its not like the woman was sent against her will if you look at how much shes getting paid to do him.
I shall not cast judgment upon our Governor until I have seen pictures of the women he has slept with. Only then shall he be judged.
side note: is one of the indictees (Tanya Hollander) related to former 'happy hooker'Xaviera? Talking bloodlines here...maybe she can claim as a defense that she couldn't resist because of heredity.
Wait, so the new Govener is legally blind????
Spitzer has been such a disappointment. Thank god I didn’t take that internship.
He made a statement but didn't resign. Not yet at least.
Time to go, Spitz. Time to go.
Leave office now before we take you out by force.
White slavery? That should go over well with his constituents in the bushwick. I dare say he may run for a second term now.
Meanwhile, somewhere upstate, Joe "Phil Leotardo" Bruno has a boner from here to Utica.
I wonder if he used the investment and art dealing services also.
i maintain that hiring a prostitute is still better than two wetsuits
at #50. Yes, and African American. Shame he'll be crippled by fat NYS politics and Spitzer's wayward penis.
that first picture is terrible. its like he just ate a bag of sourpatches.
He was wiretapped and is in big trouble as he sent
for a Prostitute across state lines a violation
of the"Mann act",stupid! ugh, what a failure .
Crooked Joe Bruno is smiling!
Welcome Gov.Patterson.
This is exactly how the Feds' vast new wiretapping liberties should be used... destroying the careers of politicians their current boss doesn't like.
Spizer really has to resign. If it's not going to happen today it's sure going to happen within the next few weeks when investigation comes out.
Here's what he said.
GOVERNOR ELIOT SPITZER: "Over the past nine years, eight 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.
Today, I want to briefly address a private matter.
I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family, that violates my -- or any -- sense of right and wrong. I apologize first, and most importantly, to my family. I apologize to the public, whom I promised better.
I do not believe that politics in the long run is about individuals. It is about ideas, the public good and doing what it best for the state of New York.
But 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.
I will not be taking questions. Thank you very much. I will report back to you in short order.
Thank you very much."
How old are his daughters? Pretty cute.
This is exactly how the Feds' vast new wiretapping liberties should be used... destroying the careers of politicians their current boss doesn't like.
This has zero to do with the Patriot Act or warrantless wiretapping of US citizens for counter-terrorism purposes if in fact the Feds had a warrant to investigate the prostitution ring. Are you saying they didn't have a warrant?
Spitzer is a man, and a man has needs. What do you people expect him to do? Sleep with his worn out wife??? Continue ejaculate into his trusty 'Blue Sock' and waste precious sperm? He needs some real high quality muff to plunder. Let him be.
FOX NEWS reports he's already been indicted and will resign!
The Governor's spiffy new threads!
http://ace.mu.nu/archives/spitzerblingfull.jpg
TPM has excerpts from the prosecutor filings. Client-9 starts on this page:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/docs/prostitution-filings-excerpts/?resultpage=9&
waiting for 'thesmokinggun' mugshot
FoxNews.com reports he's been indicted already, anyone else got that?
One post is enough, thanks!
Apparently he was caught arranging to have a prostitute go from NY to DC, which is a federal crime. Human trafficking, ugh.
I don't think the human trafficking charge would apply to Spitzer but it might to the organizers of the prostitution ring.
This has zero to do with the Patriot Act or warrantless wiretapping of US citizens for counter-terrorism purposes if in fact the Feds had a warrant to investigate the prostitution ring. Are you saying they didn't have a warrant?
This has everything to do with the mass of wiretapping data Bush's government has at its disposal. Are you saying that Spitzer is the only politician in the US that hires prostitutes?
#63
That is the problem. Men think with their peni*s and not their brain. It's unimaginable to think Spitzer didn't think he will be caught.
funny stuff Kojak.
seriously though, spitzer's turned into the biggest disappointment ever. what a selfish idiot. the democrats are really doing their best to lose the upcoming election.
This has everything to do with the mass of wiretapping data Bush's government has at its disposal. Are you saying that Spitzer is the only politician in the US that hires prostitutes?
Have you read any of the newspaper articles or are you just spouting off in an anti-Bush tirade? Are you actually implying that this entire investigation was centered on Spitzer and not on the prostitution ring? Are you also saying the Feds did not have a warrant? Can you prove this? Are you actually against warrants now as well?
However this turns out, in terms of what has the Governor's and the media's attention at the moment, the timing of this really stinks.
WHAAAAAAAAT?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
did somebody just bring george bush into this? that's certainly a reach. i have a pimple on my chin that i'm pretty sure is george bush's fault.
Are you also saying the Feds did not have a warrant? Can you prove this? Are you actually against warrants now as well?
A warrant is a versatile piece of paper, especially in a Federal investigation. But for the record, not since the days of J. Edgar Hoover has the FBI been a politically autonomous institution. The Feds take their orders from the Attorney General's office which takes its orders from the White House. Every Federal investigation has a political motivation and this one spectacularly so.
Spitzer was the white obama from 2 years ago. Be careful what you wish for obama fans. Funny how the democrats weakness is pussy and yet the republicans is dick.
Joe Bruno is very fortunate to have Eliot Spitzer as an enemy. Now I want to know what I can do to get on Eliot's bad side.
Funny how the democrats weakness is pussy and yet the republicans is dick. McGreevey? Barney Frank? T
he question isn't one of weakness, the question is what spells political death. For Republicans, homosexuality generally equals political death. For Democrats, it isn't so clear. If Spitzer was having an affair, or was getting blown by an intern, people would probably not care. However, hiring a prostitute is a crime. If that wasn't enough, Spitzer has always held himself out as holier than thou, and hypocrisy carries its own price.
Every Federal investigation has a political motivation and this one spectacularly so.
I'll ask again: are you actually suggesting that this investigation was initiated with the sole intent of snaring Spitzer? Keep in mind the call was recorded on February 13 and investigations like this usually take months. Do you really think the Feds were taping only Spitzer, caught him, and then somehow made a case against the Emperors Club? Were they already only investigating the Emporers Club knowing Spitzer was already a client and that February 13 was the only time they got a "smoking gun" on tape? Really, I would love to hear exactly how you think this went down. I know Spitzer has a massive ego but to think this was only about him is a bit of a stretch.
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sinisterteashop you need to get a grip. bring up the war in iraq or our crumby profile internationally or numerous other political blunders over the last eight years and we'll talk bush's white house and we'll bush bash all day long. this has nothing to do with the white house and everything to do with a man who was involved in illegal and immoral actions. there is no place in our government for slime like this.
not every political fiasco in this country needs to be blamed on the president. there are plenty of real faults to blame him for.
im sorry,
i should have just posted "ROTFL"
I'll ask again: are you actually suggesting that this investigation was initiated with the sole intent of snaring Spitzer?
EastRiver, read a history of the FBI. Get some context. Over and out.
hahaha he looks like he got all of his teeth knocked out by his wife in that picture...
EastRiver, read a history of the FBI. Get some context. Over and out.
I'll ask yet again: are you actually suggesting that this investigation was initiated with the sole intent of snaring Spitzer?
I won't expect an answer because you're "over and out". Not answering a question does not make you right. And your "logic" is a joke: past performance of the FBI means every current and future investigation is tainted and political. You're not even going back to a few years ago. You're invoking Hoover. Funny stuff.
Love how Fox News once again got the early lede completely and spectacularly wrong... He's not resigning (at least not yet) and is not indicted (at least not yet).
Shepard Smith, you and your hair are a credit to journalism. I can only wonder if you and your crew ever grow weary of being so bad at what you do.
Meanwhile, if Spitzer does face charges, he may be the first person indicted under the Mann Act since Jerry Lee Lewis.
Holy crap. I work for a few hours and return to this?? Gothamist, you keep me on my toes!
This is what comes of forcing people to think that sex three times a week is a requirement. What, was he going to make his wife take the days off so she could service him down in Washington? He was just living up to his obligations as defined by society, which, of course, can't have people having their cake and eating it too.
Yes, he's definitely a sucka.
This is what happens when you piss Joe Bruno off!
This really is a huge disappointment. His wife is actually pretty hot for her age...it's not like she looks like Bubba's.
Damn it Elliot.
What about the All important WAR on Terror that we need to spend trillions on?
Shouldn't the FBI be more interested in that THREAT ...then whether or not some dumb politician spends a couple grand on a high priced Ho?
Oh yeah I feel safer today. ROTFLMAO
Way to go FBI
Adios Spitzter you knucklehead
"Fighting corruption, one sperm load at a time."
All this only makes me disgusted at how twisted this society is around sex. Maybe it is just a convenient scapegoat, but I for one am bloody sick of it. It is just f*cking. I dont care where people put their d*cks as long as they aren't hypocrites, But the fact that there is an arena for this type of political sexo-drama to get hashed over and over. Ugh. and Feh.
I dont care where people put their d*cks as long as they aren't hypocrites,
So being a former prosecutor that took down prostitution rings and then frequenting prostitutes doesn't make him hypocrite? Dude's gonna get disbarred.
Yeah, its just sex! It's just infidelity! It's just dishonesty! It's not like he's the mayor or anthing.
Oops.
Do my eyes deceive me, or did Spitzer had on the same color neck tie McGreevey wore at his public confession?
I'm heading out to catch his wife on the rebound! Meow!
Man, those poor girls. You know everywhere they go, there'll be chants of "Emperor's Club VIP! Emperor's Club VIP!"
Or at least that's how my mind's playing it out.
To the person who said: "Leave now before we kick you out":
I don't disagree that this action should be punished in some way. But it's pretty depressing when the private affairs of politicians like McGreevey and now Spitzer bring out so much immediate harsh judgement, while really important stuff, like gross overstepping of powers that the current administration has undertaken for the past 7 years, get swept under the rug. I'm not (as some here are) saying that Bush et al. are directly responsible for this bust; just that members of the current administration have done much worse on a national and global scale and no one's calling for *their* impeachment.
On a side note, it's interesting that Time Out New York this week had a cover story about the "other lives" of regular folk (http://www.timeout.com/newyork/articles/features/27285/my-secret-life). I guess Marv Albert is now off the hook for having New York's most recent "juciest secret of all time."
Spitzer's problem was the tapped phone call. If he was simply linked to a hooker then he might be able to save his career.
One of Fox's guests, Peter King, was almost happy and said Spitzer was self-righteous which is rich from a GOPer. They've been calling liberals unpatriotic for almost 7 years.
Spitzer should copyright ''Client Number 9'' and sell men's cologne under that name. I think he'll need a new job.
http://mine.icanhascheezburger.com/View.aspx?ciid=738269
I blame George Bush. These so-called prostitutes are just college girls who can't find a job in our bad economy. Spitzer was giving them money so they wouldn't be forced to enlist in the military and fight in a meaningless war about oil. The whole thing is obviously a conspiracy set up by the Florida GOP, well-known friends of Bruno. If you don't believe me, read a history of the FBI. Get some context. Over and out.
Hmm...I'm wondering who are Clients 1-8...
I would like to see him go. It's not a matter of sex; it's a matter that he hired a prostitute, clearly knowing, as a former AG, that that action was illegal. He uses phones and texting, as if he can't be touched; he rails against Wall Street corruption and turns around and does this. And on top of it all, something like this gives Bruno a chance to stay in Albany. Please, just go.
And Paterson is not that bad. He's got a strong record of backing stem cell research and the environment. Not sure if Bruno or Silver will run roughshod over him, though.
Good grief, how low can our politicians go?
Wait... don't answer that.
Spitzer brought it on himself. Bank reported him for suspicious money transfers.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4424507&page=1
What is it about ex-prosecutors who run for higher office....?
This is the perfect distraction away from all of the things going on right now.
I want Bloomberg to be next.
What's surprising about this? His stupidity?
He's a MAN. Men cannot keep it their pants.
Not to save their lives. Not to save their political careers. Not for nothin'.
That is the fatal flaw of being born without a "y" chromosone.
Being a being born a man is like being born with a birth defect.
Kojak (the commenter) gets men.