by Mark Silva
In the lightning round that is the modern news cycle, it took just two days from the revelation that Eliot Spitzer, governor of New York, has been a customer of an international prostitution ring for one of the formerly rising stars of the Democratic Party to step down.
It didn't help that the minority leader of the New York Assembly had set a 48-hour deadline for the start of impeachment proceedings if Spitzer didn't quit.
And it certainly didn't help that Spitzer had built his career on a reputation for the dogged pursuit of criminals -- targeting organized crime as a hard-nosed federal prosecutor in New York City and targeting corporate white-collar crime and Wall Street fraud as the state's attorney general.
The celebration among Wall Street traders this week lent a sort of Roman circus atmosphere to the governor's downfall. And yet, with Spitzer's planned resignation on Monday, handing the reins to a lieutenant governor who is legally blind and will step up as the first African-American governor in New York and only the fourth nationally, the story is not over.
"Client No. 9,'' as he is allegedly identified in the federal complaint about the Emperors Club VIP prostiutiton ring, stepped out today with not only his wife by his side, but also with a high-powered attorney, Ted Wells, the same lawyer who represented Lewis "Scooter" Libby, the former chief of staff to the vice president who was convicted of obstruction of justice.
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Comments
Absolutely stunning and shocking turn of events. And he still faces federal charges for violating the Mann Act and Money Laundering.
WOW.
I wish Spitzer and his family (especially his wife -- look at her, she is absolutely DEVASTATED) WELL.
And I wish the new Governor God's speed in his new role.
http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/2008/03/its-official-governor-elliot-sexcapades.html#links
Posted by: KYJurisDoctor | March 12, 2008 12:39 PM
The New York Post has a NSFWish picture of who they believe is "Kristen" from the Emperor's Club site today and at the very least you can say the man's taste is more Nicholas Sarkozy than Bill Clinton.
Posted by: Jeff | March 12, 2008 12:44 PM
I wonder what other titans have been caught in this prostitution ring.
Posted by: Catherine | March 12, 2008 12:58 PM
The New York Post has a NSFWish picture of who they believe is "Kristen" from the Emperor's Club site today and at the very least you can say the man's taste is more Nicholas Sarkozy than Bill Clinton.
Posted by: Jeff | March 12, 2008 12:44 PM
Where's the link, Jeffy?
I'd like to see the woman that he paid $4000 freaking dollars for.
Posted by: John Hussein E | March 12, 2008 1:09 PM
Grr. Absolutely frustrating. I liked the guy and how he kept corporations on their toes.
Posted by: Rob | March 12, 2008 1:29 PM
Here's the link, John, but like I said before it's borderline NSFW. They've blurred some stuff to make it printable.
The descritpion says she used to be a runway model. I don't know if she's worth $4,000 but I have to say, nice choice Mr. Horny Governor.
http://www.pagesix.com/story/spitzer+s+hooker+revealed
Posted by: Jeff | March 12, 2008 1:51 PM
Yikes! The guys in the video are scary looking...
Posted by: lochnessmonster | March 12, 2008 2:40 PM
I find it rather amusing that the GOP always yells impeachment when a Democrat gets caught with his pants down, but when a Republican gets caught with his pants down, they simply look the other way.
Posted by: Janstress | March 12, 2008 3:44 PM
"CLIENT #1-8 SPEAKS"
HEY WE GOT PAID TOO. HEY THEY LISTENED TO OUR CALLS TOO. HEY THEY EAVESDROPPED ON MY PHONE CALLS TOO. HEY I WAS INDICTED TOO. SO WHY IS IT "SPITZER DAY" IN AMERICA.
WE WANT TO COME OUT AND "SHOOT STRAIGHT" BUT WE CAN'T.
THIS IS AN OUTCRY, THIS "BREATHTAKING ABUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION" SHOULD NOT GO UNNOTICED.
WE WANT OUR RIGHTS PROTECTED AND WE WANT OUR LIVES BACK TOO.
I DIDN'T GET "SERVED" I GOT RENDERED AND SUBJECT TO TELL ALL'S WITH "IMMUNITY"
WE WANT TO BE HEARD!
Posted by: Roger Morris | March 12, 2008 4:09 PM
Guess I am starting to have some symp for Mrs. S.
I think she should word up on the jerk.
He has really hurt the Dems.
Posted by: C.Hussein.Morris | March 12, 2008 6:53 PM
Hard to believe what this jerk risked for a little paid for 'strange'. He was considered future Presidential material for golly gee whiz sakes.
Posted by: C.Morris | March 12, 2008 6:59 PM
GOOD LORD WOMAN, WHERE IS YOUR SELF RESPECT? GET RID OF THAT !@@@#! DO YOU THINK HE CARES? HE COULD HAVE EVEN GIVEN YOU AIDS, EVEN HIGH CLASS WHORES, ARE JUST THAT WHORES! GIVE YOUR CHILDREN SOMEONE TO LOOK UP TOO! TAKE THAT JERK FOR EVERYTHING HE'S GOT! YOU WILL HAVE A GOOD LIFE THEN.
Posted by: PATTY | March 13, 2008 7:20 AM