Spitzer to Resign Amid Allegations?
In one of the most bizarre stories of the year, New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer is being linked to a high scale prostitution ring. Even more bizarre is that it’s being broken by the NY Times. WNBC is reporting that Spitzer is planning on resigning later this afternoon. First, here’s the opening of the NY Times article breaking this story:
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.
Here’s the opening of the WNBC article:
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer is expected to resign after telling senior members of his administration that he was involved in a prostitution ring, sources told WNBC.com.
The governor met with his senior aides earlier Monday afternoon after cancelling scheduled events for Monday. Spitzer is expected to make an announcement Monday afternoon. The governor may be linked to the prostitution ring through cell phone records, sources told WNBC.com.
The press fawned all over Spitzer when he was a prosecutor, calling him “Eliot Ness”. Time magazine even named Spitzer Crusader of the Year. To say that that image is shot is understatement.
Personally, Spitzer’s law enforcement credentials came into question when he considered giving illegal immigrants drivers licenses. That was a telltale sign that he wasn’t a hardline law & order guy.
UPDATE: Here’s what the LA Times blog is reporting:
Spitzer’s press announcement was short and sweet and devoid of details. Without specifying what he was talking about — but the context was clear — Spitzer apologized to his family. “I have acted in a way that violates my obligation to my family…. I must now dedicate my time to regain the trust of my family.”
He also apologized “to the public, and I promise better. I do not believe that politics in the long run is about individuals. It is about ideas, the public good and doing what is best for the state of New York.” Spitzer also said he “failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself.” He took no questions.
If the allegations are true, which Spitzer is essentially admitting, then Spitzer has done more than violate his “obligation to my family…” It’s obvious that he’s also broken some laws.
It’s time for Gov. Spitzer to resign. Not only did he betray his family’s trust, he also betrayed the trust of New Yorkers. While he certainly isn’t the first person to get caught with prostitutes, that doesn’t excuse his actions. Besides, there’s rumors floating around that this business is involved in a money laundering operation.
Simply put, the law & order governor will soon be a criminal.
As usual, Michelle Malkin is all over this.
Technorati Tags: Scandal, Eliot Spitzer, Resignation, Prostitution, Corruption, Ethics
Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog
March 10th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
will he resign - I doubt it, look at the democrats caught in worse situations, did they do the right thing, I think not.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
David Vitter, Larry Craig, et. al., did not resign; what makes Spitzer different? Being a crook is a hardly disqualification for office in Bush’s America.
The real question here is whether Spitzer’s conversations were wiretapped legally — with a warrant — or as part of the ongoing and ever-widening domestic spying. Would be interesting to see that litigated.
March 10th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
This story is shocking but not as shocking as you might think if you were watching from here in New York. Spitzer came in with this larger than life man-of-justice image and attitude like he could do and get away with whatever he wanted. A lot of the big cases he made as prosecutor were really just him being a thug and threatening to shut down companies if they didn’t capitulate and roll over. The press loved him b/c it meant a Democrat was back in the big house, but it seemed like it was just a matter of time before he lost it. His comment to Assemblymen Tedisco upon taking office was “I am a f***ing steamroller and I’ll roll over you or anybody else.” Classy guy. He tried to take out the Senate Majority leader using the state police and the resulting “Troopergate” pretty much sunk his first year agenda.
March 10th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Political culture in New York is not as bad as Illinois or Louisiana.
March 10th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I wonder what the reaction would be if his name was Foley?
March 11th, 2008 at 12:13 am
NY hasn’t got anything over on LA or San Fransicko either.
May 6th, 2008 at 12:22 am
my dad snapping turtle, in the it is a