(from http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=670743&category=&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=3/11/2008)
GOP to push for NY gov impeachment |
| By MICHAEL GORMLEY, Associated Press Last updated: 3:23 p.m., Tuesday, March 11, 2008 |
| ALBANY -- Pressure mounted Tuesday on Gov. Eliot Spitzer to resign because of a prostitution scandal, with a top state Republican threatening to push for impeachment proceedings if the governor doesn't step down in 48 hours. State residents "cannot have this hanging over their heads," said Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco. The scandal erupted Monday, when allegations surfaced that Spitzer, who built his political reputation on rooting out corruption, spent thousands of dollars for a night with a call girl named Kristen at a glitzy Washington hotel. Spitzer, a first-term Democrat, remained hidden from public view Tuesday, and his plans regarding his political future weren't known. Three New York newspapers called for his resignation, and the New York Post called him "NY's naked emperor." Spitzer hadn't yet decided whether to resign and hadn't set a timetable for a decision, according to two Democratic officials close to Spitzer and the state's lieutenant governor, David Paterson. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions. Reporters, government workers and the public milled around the state Capitol building Tuesday waiting for any development in the scandal. Whispers of 'What have you heard?' could be heard in nearly every hallway of the ornate, 109-year-old building. Newsvans lined up around the Capitol's perimeter and camera operators sat next to their tripods on the front lawn waiting for something to do. To get articles of impeachment to the floor, Tedisco would need support from the Democratic majority in the Assembly. If the measure passed there, it would still need at least two-thirds approval of the combined vote of the Republican-controlled Senate and the nine-member Court of Appeals to proceed to trial. The case started when banks noticed the frequent cash transfers from several accounts and filed suspicious activity reports with the Internal Revenue Service, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press Tuesday. The accounts were traced back to Spitzer, prompting public corruption investigators to open an inquiry. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. The inquiry found that Spitzer was a repeat customer with the Emperors Club VIP, a high-end prostitution service, the official said. In an affidavit filed in Manhattan federal court last week, Spitzer appeared as "Client 9," according to another law enforcement official who also spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation. Spitzer allegedly paid for the call girl to take a train from New York to Washington -- a move that opened the transaction up to federal prosecution because she crossed state lines. The governor has not been charged, and prosecutors would not comment on the case. A Spitzer spokesman said the governor has retained a large Manhattan law firm. Client 9 wanted a high-priced prostitute named Kristen to come to Washington on a 5:39 p.m. train from Manhattan Feb. 13. The door to the hotel room would be left ajar. Train tickets, cab fare, room service, and the minibar were all on him. |
35 comments:
I think one of the more interesting aspects about this whole thing is how pervasive the need to engage in deviant activities may be for some people. Even someone as blantently in the spotlight as the Governor of NY would engage in hiring a form of prositutes. And even bring one on a train with him. You would hope that people in the public eye would atleast be smart enough to keep this kind of stuff behind closed doors. But it also does beg the question how large are these types of prostitution rings and how many levels of society are they involved in, rather than the mostly lower status streetwalkers.
I think it is pathetic and ironic that the man who upheld the image of acting in an ethical manner has shamed himself in front of his family, the state he represents, as well as the nation. Did he really think for a second that he was above the law? Or did the return just outweigh the risk by a landslide? $80,000 spent for sex and now he can enjoy being tried in the most brutal court, that of the public opinion. To commit a crime, a sin that distasteful and pitiful. I'm sure he is not the only public figure to engage in this type of behavior, but at some point you wonder if anyone knows better..
I think its to bad, he really had alot going for him. i hope this call girl was really good looking because otherwise he threw away his career for nothing. We are starting to see this more and more, where public officals get caught up in extramarital afairs. The only differences between when the average joe hires a prostitute and a public official are A) Public officials do not get caught in street stings they are spending big bucks one estimate said up to $80,000 and B) when average joe gets caught no one really cares they will just attribute it to the fact that he is low class, or some other social reason. When the person commiting the crime is of the upper class it is seen as even more deviant, its still the same basic act, if anything it is probally safer, these girls are not nearly as experainced as a street hooker
Spitzer has resigned since this post, and it is really a shame. He always seemed like a well-intentioned guy, but he really messed up here. It is a shame that this will be all he is remembered for years from now. The worst part is that he isn't even close to the only one, just the only one we've heard about. This prostitution ring was international, with even higher priced prostitutes than Spitzer paid for. It will be interesting to see if any big names come out of this information. He should have just done it the old fashioned way and banged an intern!
I have to agree with the previous comment. Someone who is so publicly watched must be extremely desperate to do something like that. Prostitution rings would have been something Spitzer would have fought againts and now he is going to remembered being involved with one. I think we need to take a look at what was going on that he felt is was necessary to spend thousands of dollars on something that had potential to ruin his life. You would think these politicians would learn there lesson. I think this is a perfect example of a man who had it all, and lost it overnight. Hopefully it was worth it. It also saddens me to watch his wife and family standing by him and the embaressment they must be facing. I really feel bad for them. I think that it is a good thing he resigned as quickly as he did because Amercian citizens, especially after Clinton will not tolerate this behavior.
Ashley G.
I think the governor's involvement in prostitution is getting too much hype and publicity, although I understand it is a very big scandal. We know how the public loves a scandal, so why not talk about it in every news paper, every article, across the country, for the next 3 weeks. If this was any other businessman who decided to get his pleasure in "deviant" ways, n o one would give a shit. The only problem is that he got caught. He is a politician who was not very good at keeping his business on the DL, therefore, he got caught. He is no different than any other politician whom I am sure also engage in risky behaviors, they are just better at not getting caught, yet. Pretty much we are capitalizing on the fact that Spritzer is an idiot, because as governor he knows that his every move is being watched by the media, the government, and most importantly, his rivals. Can we please stop talking about this now, I don't want to think about him having sex with anyone, not an "escort," and not his wife.
Christina D.
I think that this situation represents the fact that not all prostitution cases involve street walkers of the lower class. We tend to focus on these instances but as a case like this one represents those of the upper class are just as likely to be involved in prostitution. I think it was irresposible for Spitzer to engage in this type of behavior knowing that he is in the public's eye. I believe that Spitzer is now facing the consequences of this irresponsible behavior.
i have to agree with c dwyer on this. i find it extremely hypocritical that spitzer represents himself as ethical and "cleaning up the muck" sort of mentality when he is hiring prostitutes behind the scenes. i dont think a man should have to have his entire career ruined from it, but i also believe you shouldnt preach what you dont follow. it seems more and more often that this is becoming the case with politicians. who knows what else is happening out of public eye we dont even know about.
The biggest question for me, at least, is Sptizer's fate. Bill Clinton rebounded pretty quickly after he left office and remains very popular among democrats. I don't believe Spitzer will have anywhere close to the same rebound and you will probably see him stay out of the public eye for awhile. I also wonder if his wife knew at least something because he had been frequenting prostitutes for so long and marriages that are in the public eye like that are often as never as good as they may seem.
I think this situtation is sad. I really liked the governor but now I feel very disappointed in him. On the other hand I'm happy for the Lut. Governor, he is also nice and I think he will do a very well job in the position. I just think it's sad that this all had to happen for such a stupid reason. The thing that ticks me off the most is that I really don't think that there are jobs out there that pay like this one and it's sad that people that sell their bodies earn more money than somebody who went to college and got a degree. I think that society needs to stop and look at what is going on and rethink on how we define and place value on things.
Never, never, never mess with the IRS! The transfer of large amounts of funds is what started this investigation. One would think, with his celebrated status, that Elliot Spitzer would have taken a hell of alot more precuations than he did to get caught. First of all what he did was bad enough on its own, but in addition to soliciting a prostitute, he cheated on his wife and made a huge mistake model wise for his 3 young daughters. I do find it ironic that he may be charged with the "Man Act" a law he made up to stop this exact thing. I think this is uttery distasteful to say the least to begin with, but even more so considering he had previously earned the nick name " Mr. Clean".
Veronica V.
I think its been said enough that Spitzer obviously screwed up here. I definately think that this is going to be a news story which is going to linger in the public eye for quite some time because the "shock and awe" value that it possesses. I'll be the first to admit that politics in general aren't aren't anywhere near the top of my personal interests, but I personally agree with many of the previous posters. Spitzer is obviously being singled out here because of his position within our state and the nation in general.
Regardless of what happens to him politically, I can't help but think that he brought this upon himself. I believe when all is said and done, the real people who are going to suffer because of this scandal are the members of his family... I know I wouldn't want to be a teenager with a public figure as a father who was caught up in all this...
I find this whole situation very interesting because in essence, we are dealing with a situation that happens every day. The governor, not unlike many others before and after him has a weakness. The problem is that the money he used was not his own, and that yes he is a public figure who shouldn't be representing the state in such a way. If the money was not involved, I would bet that this would be a much smaller scandal. I do feel bad for his wife and kids though.. that is no easy thing to go through especially when it is on national television.
Plain and simple, the governor is a hypocrit. How could he proscute criminals in the past that were convicted of the same crime he committed. Ridiculous. His wife and 3 daughters must be appalled and embarassed. I agree with many of the comments, that I am almost positive many other public officials and politicians have engaged in criminals acts like such.
I find it ironic that someone who used to break up prostution rings was paying and escort for sex. I don't see how he could have been able to prosecute people for doing the exact same thing he was doing. This instance only further illustrates that not all prostitution is on the streets and perhaps the people who are solicitating the prositutes not the streets are even more pathetic, seeing how Spitzer paid $80,000. Its hard to feel bad for him even though his whole public affairs are being broadcast to the nation but I do feel bad for his children.
I think that most of the problem people are having with this scandal, isn't the fact that he hired a hooker. I think that a lot of people feel it was worse that she was, 1. 2 years older than his daughter; and, 2. that he's been campaigning against human trafficking and has passed legislation against it. He's come out looking like a hypocrite.
Spitzer, the former attorney general who was known for being a hard ass on criminals resigns from the Office of Governor of the State of New York. The most ridiculous part how much he was paying for these professional escort hookers. I don't understand why a guy of his stature would have to pay that amount of money to boost his confidence or get whatever gratification he does from it. He could have easily just had a normal affair and that would not have looked as bad, like when that guy Bill hooked up with that Monica chick. You see, if good old Elliott had an affair with a women with a more respectable occupation or if he was the Governor of Nevada, than he probably wouldn't be scrutinized as much and most likely would have stayed in office like Bill. Sorry Hilary.
Like many Americans, I found it quite ironic that a man who had "built his political reputation on rooting out corruption," was involved in an illicit prostitution ring himself. Drawing from the lecture notes, one can make the connection that although organizations like the Emperors VIP club are not visible, prostitution is still a thriving "business" within New York City. Since this article's release governor Spitzer has resigned from office, and given the circumstances and speculation on that he utilized tax dollars to pay for his indiscretions, I believe that this decision was best.
I think that Gov. Spitzer chose to participate in a deviant behavior, and now he's reaping the consequences; he has no one to blame but himself. Everyone seems to have something to say about his wife, but I believe that you can never know what goes on in a person's relationship; maybe she's comfortable or maybe she has decided to stick by him as she believes a wife should do. Its bad that she had to go through this and suffer the consequences of her husband's selfish behavior. I think its time to let go of the scandal and let the man try to fix his life, his marriage and family without any intrusion. Also, I think $5000 for some sex is ridiculous, she must have known some extraordinary tricks.
The White Knight. The man of Ethics. The Sheriff of Wall St...No longer. The amount of hypocracy in this case is almost unfathomable. Spitzer was the most powerful man in NY up to that point and held a high reign as AG for the state. Since it was determined that he was engaging in this type of behavior under both offices. . . he sure would have continued. He is dealing with prostitues. Escorts defend themselves by saying the clients are paying for time spent....but cut through it and your paying for sex, expensive sex too. But Spitzer is dealing with dishonest people. People willing to engage in illegal behavior with powerful individuals. But one has to think - who do these prostitues report to or work for. Where is that money going that Spitzer hands them over for a couple of hours of fun. Could he be contributing to the organized crime rings that he made a part of his mission to bring down? Tough call...he puts the state in jeopardy when eh gives people (prostitues) damaging information against him , that they could easily blackmail him - and a select few could indirectly have control over NY government. It is amazing that we can elect such people, and before he resigned I wasnt sure how it was going to go. NY Democrats re-elected Alan Hevesi this past term to NYS Comptroller after being convicted of a felony for using state funds to pay for his wifes care...we knew it happend - saw it happen - and we put him back in office...we didnt choose the other guy, bizzare?
Prostitution is a very common crime that occurs everyday. The fact that a public official was caught doing it created a huge scandal. Prostitution wasn't even part of the initial investigation but the truth is Spitzer definitely could have avoided this entire controversy. One of the most shocking parts is that the girl he paid for seems to be more worried about being labeled as a monster and losing the chance to have a singing career than being charged. Spitzer shamed his family, especially his wife, and ruined his career. Although he is an extremely wealthy individual, his character has been shattered. Spending about $4000 for a couple of hours in reality is not worth ruining your entire life to most people. The powerful Spitzer clearly disagreed. The part that people are probably worried about is how common and how large these prostituion rings actually are. Anyone in any class status is able to participate which means this clearly has an enormous effect on the entire population.
I think that the govern of NY shamed everyone. Spitzer had a lot going for him and ruined his whole entire future on one night. Prositution is a big problem and after Spitzer did this, government is cracking down even harder. But was it really worth it? I feel really bad for his family that he caused shame to. The prositute is more worried about her singing career and ruining her name, when she should be more worried about her life and ruining others. This is reocurring more everyday. When will a person stop before they commit anymore deviant acts.
T.Elia
The whole situation is a disgrace to the great state of New York. This has sparked public concern in the officials who are supposed to represent and protect us. Because of Spitzer’s actions much faith and belief in our system has been affected. As far as Spitzer himself...he had everything going for him. A very smart man highly educated and with a position many would die for, blew it. As others said...when he was attorney general his aim was to get tough on crime...specifically bust up prostitution rings. Years later we see him participating in it. Whether the stress of the job led him to act out of character or an addiction to sex...he really screwed up. All we can do now is regain trust in New York officials and hope Patterson can fulfill the position of governing this state.
I think that this situation is really sad for former governor spitzer's family. For his two daughters to have to deal with this and his wife. even thought his wife is absolutly stupid for standing by him. Money laundring and prostitution are no joke, and no matter who you are u should be punished. I also think that situations like this go to show you that anyone can commit deviant crimes.
I think it is very ironic and hypicritical that while he was prosecuting prostitution rings as an attorney, he himself got caught for the same crime that he was advacating against so much. His actions were hypicritical and set a double standard. What bothers me is how the prosecution has not criminally charged our nys governor. the charges are still pending. I feel that his power and prestige will be used for his benefit. I believe charges will never be brought against him and he will "go free". If a common citizen was to solicite a prostitute, they would be charged and sentenced with no delays. I think it is unfare that since he has political power, he will not be charged with any crime. Our government is very corrupt and hypicritical. He should have been impeached.
I agree with the last post in that it bothers me that there may be no legal action taken due to the Spitzer scandal. Spitzer should be subject to the same penalties as those who he obtained convictions of prostitution against, while serving as a prosecutor. As well, the prostitute has been offered a million dollars to pose nude, and I'm not sure if it's true, but may get a record deal... All for being a prostitute. This case is a perfect example of the unequal application of the law in our country.
I think this is a great example that some stereotypes of people who solicite prostitutes, and the prostitutes themselves are pretty general. This guy is in the public eye and for the most part has his every move critiqued. It is pretty ironic that a man who was attempting to clean up this state and fight prostitutes, would actually go out of his way to solicite one himself.
I think it's pretty funny that a year ago Spitzer was trying to end prostitution rings, and now here he is getting convicted of being client #9. It's kind of ridiculous that he was playing the whole "do as I say, not as I do" game, and that he obviously expected to get away with it because hey, he's Eliot Spitzer. It's unfortunate, but let's be honest, he's not the first politician to be a scum bag, and I think by now we kind of all expect it. To say the least I wasn't all that shocked when I heard about it, and yes although he should be held to a higher standard because he is a public figure, let's face it, prosititution is not going to end...so maybe we should think abotu that instead of acting like it's unheard of.
Caitlyn C
let just get one things out of the way, he is only human. yes what he was doing was against the law, and yes he IS supposed to be a role model to some becasue of his position. but you must realize that some of the rumors that were going around about Spitzer using state money were false. he used his own personal funds to endulge in this little adventure. and just as a side note... he could have gotten a much better deal if he went a little farther downtown.
It is surprising how many politicians commit deviant acts. These cases are most of the time unheard of because they do not want all the media attention brought to them. Governor Spitzer was soliciting an escort, but im pretty sure he is not the only one. By no means I think that what he did was right mainly because he is a married man so he should not be soliciting sex elsewhere, and also because he had a campaign against prostitution. He was being a hypocrite.
It is no surprise that a political figure such as Spitzer would step out on his wife and pretty much cheat on her behind closed doors. However, to cheat on her with a prostitute is far more disgraceful than any other regular one-night stand for the simple fact that prostitution is a federal offense! I think that it is absurd for someone to spend $80,000 on sex! For goodness sake isn't that what a man's wife is for?! What surprises me is that all he gets hit with is impeachment... what happened to retribution... "you do the crime, you do the time!" But because he is a political figure, he is probably going to get let off the hook (we all know that political figures are above the law).
This goes to show that there are higher prostitutes than just street walkers, even in NY where there are so many and they are so visible. This also shows that no one is above the law. I am sure officials do get away with a lot, however not this time. Although it does seem he tried his best to hide what he was doing, I would think that most people from NY would know the governor's face and that alone is not being careful. B. Brown
The hypocrisy that arises from his past as a prosecutor is what really entertains me. I'm pretty sure this sort of thing is very, very common among people with money and power, and I am not at all surprised. As somebody else already stated, Spitzer is only the one who got caught. Is it deviant? Yes. Is it illegal? Yes. Does it happen anyway? All the time. Somebody in Spitzer's situation, being the governor of a state, probably should have worked a little harder at weighing the pros and cons, and the likelihood he, being in the public eye, would get caught.
I think this is a shame what Pitzer did. He let alot of people like the state of New York and the United States. Its a shame that Spitzer will be remembered for this and not for his image in politics. Maybe following Spitzer resigning there will be some other top officials doing the same thing he did. It shows that street walkers are widely utilized and that the upper class are involved alot.
It's a shame Spitzer's career is probably over after this. The problem with being a political figure is your constantly around the media. The likelihood of getting caught is high.
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