N.Y. Governeur Linked To Call Girl Ring
N.Y. Gov. Apologizes, Linked To Call Girl Ring
Organization Charged Up To $5,000 An Hour
POSTED: 1:19 pm CDT March 10, 2008
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer apologized to his family and the public on Monday after reports linking him to a high-priced call girl ring, but he did not elaborate on the report.
"I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family and violates my, or any, sense of right and wrong," Spitzer said in a hastily-called news conference, with his wife, Silda, standing by his side. "I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public, whom I promised 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 said.
He refused to answer reporters' questions before leaving the room.
A law enforcement official told The Associated Press that Spitzer's involvement in the ring was caught on a federal wiretap. The official said Spitzer is identified in court papers as "Client 9," and the wiretap was part of an investigation that opened in the last few months.
Federal agents raided the alleged call girl ring last week, Emperors Club VIP, according to The Smoking Gun Web site, which said it had obtained an FBI affidavit.
The affidavit said the operation, which charged up to $5,000 an hour for one of its 50 prostitutes, operated in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; London; and Paris, TSG reported.
The ring's Web site has been taken off line.
Spitzer, who is 48, is married and has three daughters. He served as the state's attorney general, and he has built his political legacy on rooting out corruption. He waged several headline-making battles with Wall Street. Time magazine labeled him "Crusader of the Year."
As attorney general, Spitzer made headlines with a relentless pursuit of Wall Street wrongdoing. He also had prosecuted at least two prostitution rings as head of the state’s organized crime task force.
Spitzer became the first Democrat elected governor since 1990, and he did so with a state-record 69 percent of the vote.
Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo called the news "an excruciating personal tragedy for the governor, his family and the rest of our society to whom he has meant so much."
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine expressed shock at allegations.
"These are serious and disturbing accusations that are completely at odds with the man I know. They come as a complete shock," Corzine said.
Opponents quickly jumped on his predicament.
"Today's news that Eliot Spitzer was likely involved with a prostitution ring and his refusal to deny it leads to one inescapable conclusion: He has disgraced his office and the entire state of New York," said Assembly Republican leader James Tedisco. "He should resign his office immediately."
http://tinyurl.com/ysprcq
Organization Charged Up To $5,000 An Hour
POSTED: 1:19 pm CDT March 10, 2008
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer apologized to his family and the public on Monday after reports linking him to a high-priced call girl ring, but he did not elaborate on the report.
"I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family and violates my, or any, sense of right and wrong," Spitzer said in a hastily-called news conference, with his wife, Silda, standing by his side. "I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public, whom I promised 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 said.
He refused to answer reporters' questions before leaving the room.
A law enforcement official told The Associated Press that Spitzer's involvement in the ring was caught on a federal wiretap. The official said Spitzer is identified in court papers as "Client 9," and the wiretap was part of an investigation that opened in the last few months.
Federal agents raided the alleged call girl ring last week, Emperors Club VIP, according to The Smoking Gun Web site, which said it had obtained an FBI affidavit.
The affidavit said the operation, which charged up to $5,000 an hour for one of its 50 prostitutes, operated in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; London; and Paris, TSG reported.
The ring's Web site has been taken off line.
Spitzer, who is 48, is married and has three daughters. He served as the state's attorney general, and he has built his political legacy on rooting out corruption. He waged several headline-making battles with Wall Street. Time magazine labeled him "Crusader of the Year."
As attorney general, Spitzer made headlines with a relentless pursuit of Wall Street wrongdoing. He also had prosecuted at least two prostitution rings as head of the state’s organized crime task force.
Spitzer became the first Democrat elected governor since 1990, and he did so with a state-record 69 percent of the vote.
Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo called the news "an excruciating personal tragedy for the governor, his family and the rest of our society to whom he has meant so much."
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine expressed shock at allegations.
"These are serious and disturbing accusations that are completely at odds with the man I know. They come as a complete shock," Corzine said.
Opponents quickly jumped on his predicament.
"Today's news that Eliot Spitzer was likely involved with a prostitution ring and his refusal to deny it leads to one inescapable conclusion: He has disgraced his office and the entire state of New York," said Assembly Republican leader James Tedisco. "He should resign his office immediately."
http://tinyurl.com/ysprcq
bin66 - 11. Mrz, 00:57
