Eliot Spitzer: I'm a Jester Too! UPDATE: Spitzer Does NOT Resign!
UPDATE 5: From Talkleft,
UPDATE 3: After word was spread that Spitzer was resigning, effective immediately, it now appears that he has made a vague mea culpa and NOT resigned. Stay tuned. The situation is (as they say in politics) fluid.
UPDATE 2.1: Spitzer to resign, effective immediately. New York State to have first African American and Blind Governor, David Patterson.
UPDATE: While awaiting the press conference, the rumor amongst press in attendance is that Spitzer will announce his resignation. Unbelievable!
Aside: From Overlawyered: Best line heard so far, adapted from comment at Reason "Hit and Run": "Hooker admits Spitzer link, quits escort service in disgrace". Posted by: Walter Olson
The New York Times and Newsday have announced that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who made his bones as the tough-on-crime Attorney General, is embroiled in a prostitution scandal. Details are scarce, but this is what the Times had to say:
CNN just reported Gov. Eliot Spitzer is under federal criminal investigation and that he is, indeed, customer "9" in the 55 page complaint in U.S. v. Mark Brener, et. al.
Spitzer was at a hotel in Washington, D.C. and allegedly asked Tameka "Rachelle" Lewis to send a specific woman, Kristin, from NY to D.C. to his room at the Mayflower.
Go to page 34. There's a lot of detail. Paragraph 85 may be key.
It's clear from the document that Customer #9 was a repeat customer and that he intended to use them again in the future. Read pages 34 to 39. They discuss his having a credit balance and whether he can leave more than he owes for future visits.
Spitzer's statement today is here.UPDATE 4: Latest word from ABC and BBC, Spitzer apologizes but no mention of resignation. No word on global pardons for prostitutes and johns.
UPDATE 3: After word was spread that Spitzer was resigning, effective immediately, it now appears that he has made a vague mea culpa and NOT resigned. Stay tuned. The situation is (as they say in politics) fluid.
UPDATE 2.1: Spitzer to resign, effective immediately. New York State to have first African American and Blind Governor, David Patterson.
UPDATE: While awaiting the press conference, the rumor amongst press in attendance is that Spitzer will announce his resignation. Unbelievable!
Aside: From Overlawyered: Best line heard so far, adapted from comment at Reason "Hit and Run": "Hooker admits Spitzer link, quits escort service in disgrace". Posted by: Walter Olson
The New York Times and Newsday have announced that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who made his bones as the tough-on-crime Attorney General, is embroiled in a prostitution scandal. Details are scarce, but this is what the Times had to say:
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.
Mr. Spitzer, a first-term Democrat who pledged to bring ethics reform and end the often seamy ways of Albany, is married with three children.
Just last week, federal prosecutors arrested four people in connection with an expensive prostitution operation. Administration officials would not say that this was the ring with which the governor had become involved.
But a person with knowledge of the governor’s role said that the person believes the governor is one of the men identified as clients in court papers.
Now I don't personally care who Spitzer is shtupping, provided it isn't me, but this isn't likely to turn out well. Word from my friends in the media (awaiting his press conference at this moment) is that he is done.
Update: Here's the Southern District complaint.
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3/11/2008 2:04 AM
UNDERDOG - Criminal/Drunk Driving Defense in Maryland, Virginia, DC wrote:
Why is it news that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer may have been a john of high-priced prostitutes? Because that would amount to adultery? Because prostitution is illegal everywhere in the nation except parts of Nevada? Because it raises questions abou
Unbelievable! And he was doing such good things in Albany. How unbelievably stupid of him.
I'm with you--I could care less what he does on the side, as long as he's governing well, but he could've been smart about it.
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The only thing (well, not the only) that makes me smile is that this is another hard-core prosecutor whose career who thrived by putting the marginally criminal down, only to show that has "erred" in a particularly human way.
The only thing better would be to learn that Rudy Giuliani's first wife was really his second cousin, and he was just one sick man.
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On the one hand, I have no problem with what consenting adults do with their bodies or their money. On the other hand, Elliot Spitzer would not have extended the same courtesy to me. So let him reap the whirlwind.
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Agreed on both. But do we rise above the Spitzers of the world, or do we make him eat it just as he would do if it was us?
Edit: I just checked out the local listserv to see what the boys and girls think. Plenty of joviality, enjoying the irony of Mr. Law and Order getting his. This strikes me as the time when people of conscience prove that they believe in the things they say, and then give their hated enemies the benefits they claim should be given to everyone. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Do we not defend the hated too?
Of course, it may well be the before the night is out, David Patterson will be the Governor of New York anyway.
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It is amazing how those who showed no mercy when in power seek it when fortunes change. It is the rank hypocrisy that is so offensive. The first stop for the ex prosecutor was a criminal defense attorney's office. I wonder if he has discussed the MANN Act today?
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So Scott, first thing into the office in the morning, you get a call. It's one of the Governor's people. They've decided they need to bring in an outsider to handle his defense, and they want you. What's your plan?
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I will defend him zealously (and for a healthy retainer).
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Elliot Spitzer is corrupt. Elliot Spitzer is a hypocrite with a huge ego, a dick and con man.
This article , which has nothing to do with his penchant for high priced whores and salad tossing- is proof.
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I THINK THAT KRISTIN IS A VERY SWEET AND PRETTY GIRL. HOWEVER, I THINK THAT SHE SHOULD HAVE PAID GOVERNOR SPITZER SOMETHING; PREFERABLY A BASKIN ROBBINS ICE CREAM CONE. REGARDS, RICHARD
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For god sakes, give this man a break.
This was a private matter between him and his family and now he is paying for it with his everything he had - we need to understand in this country that its more important to have competence in our political leaders (be it from a Mayor or the President) and not a role model.
Say what you will about this unbelievably stupid behavior, at least he handled himself well in its aftermath.
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I have to disagree on both counts. It was hardly a private matter when you're the avenging prosecutor cum governor. And his farewell was more than a bit disingenuous, though you should note that this post was written when the news broke, not during the "aftermath". One of the problems with commenting on old posts is that you need to recognize when they were written. Just because you're reading them afterward doesn't mean that the content changes.
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duly noted counselor
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