 New York Governor Eliot Spitzer took his medicine like a man this morning, announcing that, having failed to live up to the high standards he set for others, he could do nothing other than hold himself to account, and resign, effective Monday, paving the way for the state's first black governor (and only the country's second,) David Paterson. WCBS in New York has the story and the video.
The New York Times examines the career highs and lows of a brilliant but clearly flawed man, plus a cautionary tale for anyone who does business with a bank. Short version: the feds are watching your accounts.
The New York Post tabloids it up, calling the soon-to-be ex-guv a "sex addict" who blew $80 Gs on paid-for sex over the years. The millionaire, married politician has been hopping into bed with harlots for as long as a decade and traveled as far as Florida for steamy trysts, sources said.
One of them, a 22-year-old call girl who goes by the name "Sienna" on her Web site, told ABC News that Spitzer paid her for sex two years ago when he was still attorney general.
He tipped big and "didn't do anything that wasn't clean," she added.
Her voice quavering, the curvy blonde told The Post last night she'd been flooded with calls after her revelation - and, "Yeah, it's a little scary."
She said she did not know "Kristen," the hooker who brought the governor down, and referred further questions to her lawyer. Oh, and he didn't like to use condoms ... Yeesh!
The post also reports that Spitzer wasn't just a last minute target of opportunity for the federales:
In another development, The Post has learned that the FBI staked out Spitzer at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, earlier this year - tipped by a wiretap that he intended to meet up with a hooker there. The Washington Post reported the surveillance took place on Jan. 26.
A source also said the FBI has been investigating Spitzer for six months. And of course, the Post reveals that "traveling tarts" put Spitzer "in infamous company":
An old federal statute that has ensnared a number of celebrities over the years - including Charlie Chaplin, boxing champ Jack Johnson and murderous cult leader Charles Manson - could possibly be used to prosecute Gov. Spitzer.
Monday's disclosure that Spitzer had a prostitute sent from New York to his Washington hotel last month led to speculation he would be prosecuted under the Mann Act. Although the thinking is that won't happen, since the Mann Act is now mostly used to target traffickers in underaged prostitutes.
Ugh, you need a shower just talking about it! One thing is for certain -- Spitzer wasn't the only high profile customer of the Emerald VIP Club. Expect other big name New Yorkers to be scurrying under various rocks over the near term.
Labels: Eliot Spitzer, scandals, sex |
