We're sure this will be a small scandal, just like the Governor's, um...
Official statement from the Governor of New York's office is forthcoming, but in the meantime:
ALBANY - Gov. Eliot Spitzer
has informed his most senior administration officials that he had been
involved in a prostitution ring, an administration official said this
morning.
Mr. Spitzer, who was huddled
with his top aides inside his Fifth Avenue apartment early this
afternoon, had hours earlier abruptly canceled his scheduled public
events for the day. He scheduled an announcement for 2:15 after
inquiries from the Times.
We sort of liked the as-yet-still-Governor, but he was turning out to be kind of a jerk and, more importantly, The Missus just reminded us that she always thought he looked like a creep. Guys, always listen to your wives. Anyways, when we see that announcement, we'll let you know.
UPDATE: Still no announcement, but The Times now sez that the Governor was caught on a federal wiretap arranging a $2,500 rusty trombone. OK, that last part is pure speculation. But the part about the bugged phone is true. Full text after the jump.
March 10, 2008
Spitzer Is Linked to Prostitution Ring
By DANNY HAKIM and WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM
ALBANY - Gov. Eliot Spitzer
has been caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a
high-priced prostitute at a Washington hotel last month, according to a
person briefed on the federal investigation.
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 governor learned that he had been implicated in the prostitution
probe when a federal official contacted his staff last 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 an
announcement for this afternoon after inquiries from the Times.
The governor’s aides appeared shaken, and one of them began to weep
as they waited for him to make his statement at his Manhattan office.
Mr. Spitzer was seen leaving his Fifth Avenue apartment just before 3
p.m. with his wife of 21 years, Silda, heading to the news conference.
The man described as Client 9 in court papers 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 another name.
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.
Mr. Spitzer gained national attention when he served as attorney
general with his relentless pursuit of Wall Street wrongdoing. As
attorney general, he 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.”
Albany for months has been roiled by bitter fighting and accusations
of dirty tricks. The Albany County district attorney is set to issue in
the coming days the results of his investigation into Mr. Spitzer’s
first scandal, his aides’ involvement in an effort to tarnish Majority
Leader Joseph L. Bruno, the state’s top Republican.
