News & Politics - NY Gov. Spitzer resigns amid sex scandal

migamoo · 03-12-2008, 10:16 AM

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NY Gov. Spitzer resigns amid sex scandal - Yahoo! News

NEW YORK - Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in disgrace Wednesday after getting caught in a call-girl scandal that shattered his corruption-fighting, straight-arrow image, saying: "I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the people's work."
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Spitzer made the announcement without having finalized a plea deal with federal prosecutors, though a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation said he is believed to still be negotiating one. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.

"Over the course of my public life, I've insisted, I think correctly, that people regardless of their position or power take responsibility for their conduct. I can and will ask no less of myself," Spitzer said at a Manhattan news conference with his wife, Silda, at his side. He left without answering questions.

Spitzer will be replaced on Monday by Lt. Gov. David Paterson, who becomes New York's first black governor. He also will be the state's first legally blind governor and its first disabled governor since Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Paterson issued a statement in which he said he was saddened, but would move forward. "It is now time for Albany to get back to work as the people of this state expect from us," he said.

The scandal erupted Monday when allegations surfaced that the 48-year-old father of three daughters spent thousands of dollars on a call girl at a swanky Washington hotel on the night before Valentine's Day.

Spitzer was more composed than he was earlier in the week, when he apologized for an undisclosed personal failing and looked pale, drawn and glassy-eyed. His wife took deep breaths as each of Spitzer's words was accompanied by a rush of camera clicks.

"I look at my time as governor with a sense of what might have been," Spitzer said.

Attending the news conference with Spitzer were his close advisers and lawyers, including Ted Wells, a prominent attorney who recently represented I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

The resignation came after two days of furious activity. Calls for his resignation came immediately after news of the allegations broke. Republicans began talking impeachment if he didn't step aside.

The case started when banks noticed frequent cash transfers from several accounts and filed suspicious activity reports with the Internal Revenue Service, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The accounts were traced back to Spitzer, leading public corruption investigators to open an inquiry.

Law enforcement officials said he was the person identified as "Client 9" in court papers who paid thousands for a night in a Washington hotel with a prostitute named Kristen. According to an affidavit, a federal judge approved wiretaps on the phones of the escort service in January and February.

FBI agents in Washington put Spitzer under surveillance at least twice — on Jan. 26 and Feb. 13 — to confirm that a prostitute joined him at the Mayflower Hotel, according to a senior law enforcement official with knowledge of the case. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the investigation.

The stakeouts came after the FBI recorded phone calls by Spitzer arranging the tryst, the official said.

The wiretaps were necessary as part of the investigation into whether Spitzer violated the Mann Act, which makes transportation of someone across a state line for prostitution a federal crime, the official said. Authorities in Washington now are weighing whether to prosecute Spitzer for soliciting and paying for sex — a felony in the District of Columbia, the official said.

Whether U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Taylor, who prosecutes federal and local laws in the District of Columbia, will bring charges against Spitzer likely depends on the plea deal the governor is negotiating with the government in New York, two senior law enforcement officials said.

In a statement issued after Spitzer's resignation, U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia said there was no deal with the fallen governor: "There is no agreement between this office and Governor Eliot Spitzer, relating to his resignation or any other matter."

Spitzer, a first-term Democrat, built his political reputation on rooting out government corruption, and made a name for himself as attorney general as crusader against shady practices and overly generous compensation. He also cracked down on prostitution.

He was known as the "Sheriff of Wall Street." Time magazine named him "Crusader of the Year," and the tabloids proclaimed him "Eliot Ness." The square-jawed graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law was sometimes mentioned as a potential candidate for president.

He rode into the governor's office with a historic margin of victory on Jan. 1, 2007, vowing to stamp out corruption in New York government in the same way that he took on Wall Street executives with a vengeance while state attorney general.

His term as governor has been fraught with problems, including an unpopular plan to grant driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and a plot by his aides to smear his main Republican nemesis. The prostitution scandal, some said, was too much to overcome.

Barely known outside of his Harlem political base, Paterson, 53, has been in New York government since his election to the state Senate in 1985. He led the Democratic caucus in the Senate before running with Spitzer as his No. 2.

Though legally blind, Paterson has enough sight in his right eye to walk unaided, recognize people at conversational distance and even read if text is placed close to his face. While Spitzer is renowned for his abrasive style, Paterson has built a reputation as a conciliator.

At a morning news conference, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, Spitzer's chief rival, said he was moving on with the business of the state. Lawmakers were set to vote on budget bills Wednesday afternoon.

"We are going to partner with the lieutenant governor when he becomes governor," said Bruno. "David has always been very open with me, very forthright ... I look forward to a positive, productive relationship."

Bruno, though the next highest-ranking official, does not become lieutenant governor upon Paterson's ascension to governor. The lieutenant governor's office would remain vacant until the next general election in 2010 under state law. However, whenever Paterson is out of state or if he were to become incapacitated, Bruno would be acting governor.

I can't believe this hasn't been posted before.

ceilirose · 03-12-2008, 10:38 AM

I'm not of the opinion that prostitution is a victimless crime. He had to go - it's not quite real though. Sounds more like something from one of those endless Law & Order re-runs that are always on late at night.

Papri · 03-13-2008, 09:56 AM

ITA. A crime is a crime is a crime. Prostitution is still illegal and he was involved in it - seeing as he was in a position of responsibility he absolutely had to go.

**sunnykerr** · 03-13-2008, 06:40 PM

I happen to believe that it's high time prostitution was legalized (if for no other reason than to protect sex workers), but... yeah, while it's still illegal. And especially if you're the guy who was so gun-ho (oooh, the terrible pun) about persecuting it...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart had a hilarious rift last night about ironic it is that politicians seems to go down for the very things they decry the loudest. Senator Craig was all anti-gay rights. Gets caught in a gay sex sting in a men's room at an airport. Mark Foley legislates to protect children from predators. Is secretly courting little boys on the side. And so on. Hilarious.

***Jerry D*** · 03-14-2008, 07:38 PM

I'm glad that he's gone, and like you said, Sunny, it's really funny that many politicians end up getting caught doing the very things that they've been publicly against the most.

FunSizeKristy · 03-14-2008, 09:39 PM

It always sickens me when political and authority figures misuse their power and break their own rules.

If there's one thing I can't stand and won't tolerate, it's that.

**sum1** · 03-15-2008, 06:18 PM

This reminds me of those republican scandals, Foley and Craig.

migamoo · 03-15-2008, 06:35 PM

Very true, sum. All politicians make mistakes, not just Republicans.

**sunnykerr** · 03-18-2008, 04:10 PM

Everyone makes mistakes, this is true. But I do think the hilarity, for me anyway, comes from the fact that this isn't so much about mistakes being made. It's about the sheer hypocrisy of some people.

Like I've said, I personally think prostitution ought to be legalized. Spitzer didn't. Spitzer came down hard on people who were prostitutes or who were caught with prostitutes. It sounds like an incredibly bad pun... but he did make his bed, and I'm not too sorry that he has to lie in it for a while.

I don't wish the kind of humiliation his family is going through on anyone.

But, at the same time, I can't help but feel that, considering his own proclivities, he might have wanted to make a name pursuing another crime.

In related news, the replacement governor (or whatever they're called when they get the job without having been elected) was sworn in today. African-American and legally blind. That's kind of awesome.

**sum1** · 03-21-2008, 08:29 AM

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Originally Posted by sunnykerr (View Post)

In related news, the replacement governor (or whatever they're called when they get the job without having been elected) was sworn in today. African-American and legally blind. That's kind of awesome.

Yeah, Paterson. I love how he came out and said he's been unfaithful to his wife. Refreshing honesty. I wonder if he's a future presidential possibility.

**sunnykerr** · 03-24-2008, 05:02 PM

Well, who knows. Some of the news cycles see it as the refreshing bit of honesty that I think it is, whereas others treat it like it's some kind of scandal.

Alright, the bit where one of his girlfriends might have been promoted because of their relationship might merit some looking into...

But, as far as I know, infidelity has always been treated as an inheritly scandalous and weirdly public thing in the United States. Not criticizing. It's seriously not my place. But, as far as I know, it seems to me like infidelity has more often than not been treated like one of the worst crimes a public official could commit.

So I hope it works out for this man, but I have a feeling it'd be more of a hurdle than anything else.

Jen Jaree · 03-24-2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunnykerr (View Post)

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart had a hilarious rift last night about ironic it is that politicians seems to go down for the very things they decry the loudest. Senator Craig was all anti-gay rights. Gets caught in a gay sex sting in a men's room at an airport. Mark Foley legislates to protect children from predators. Is secretly courting little boys on the side. And so on. Hilarious.

That is funny. Also don't forget Rush Limburgh he was against illegal drugs and was reveiled to have a painkiller addiction. Next up Ann Coulter at a Democrat convention burning the American flag.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunnykerr (View Post)

But, as far as I know, infidelity has always been treated as an inheritly scandalous and weirdly public thing in the United States. Not criticizing. It's seriously not my place. But, as far as I know, it seems to me like infidelity has more often than not been treated like one of the worst crimes a public official could commit.

Funny thing is infidelity is not even a crime in the US. Seriously with Global Warming, Iraq, and Darfur genocide. Infidelity isn't even newsworthy in my opinion. Shows how mixed up the priorites are.

migamoo · 03-25-2008, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunnykerr (View Post)

But, as far as I know, infidelity has always been treated as an inheritly scandalous and weirdly public thing in the United States. Not criticizing. It's seriously not my place. But, as far as I know, it seems to me like infidelity has more often than not been treated like one of the worst crimes a public official could commit.

I think it has to do with the US being more conservative in general when it comes to marriage. Yes, I would think a lot of people in the US cheat on their spouses, and it' hypocritical to say it's wrong when someone in the public does it, but they still see it as wrong. Doesn't make much sense to me either.

**sunnykerr** · 03-25-2008, 07:08 PM

Well, again, I'm seriously not judging. Thinking that infidelity is wrong is fine by me. I happen to agree.

It's the part where it's the business of anyone who isn't directly involved that, I admit, kerfuffles me.

I mean, Spitzer, I understand. His infidelity involved breaking the law. That, obviously, is a matter of public import since he is a public official.

But, otherwise... the governor from New Jersey who turned out to be gay (I'm really this bad with names)... I mean, who cares? Aside from his wife.

I understand that infidelity is considered to be amoral. I more or less agree with that, to a certain extent. But, hypocrisy aside, it's not like it's the kind of amorality that robs you of the ability to do your job. If it did, then fire the guy (or woman) for incompetence. Infidelity, when it is "just" infidelity, is really no one's business.


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