America’s worst governor linked to hookers? Update: The Emperor’s Club? Update: Spitzer to resign? Update: Spitzer apologizes; Update: Caught on federal wiretap; Update: Video added; no resignation; Update: Not indicted; Update: Hillary scrubs website of Spitzer references; Update: New details
posted at 2:23 pm on March 10, 2008 by Allahpundit
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First the illegal licenses debacle, then the Internet tax proposal, now this.
Wife and kids, so schadenfreude isn’t in order.
Gov. Eliot Spitzer has informed his most senior administration officials that he had been involved in a prostitution ring, an administration official said this morning.
Mr. Spitzer, who was huddled with his top aides early this afternoon, had hours earlier abruptly canceled his scheduled public events for the day. He is set to make an announcement about 2:15 this afternoon at his Manhattan office.
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…
Mr. Spitzer gained national attention when he served as attorney general with his relentless pursuit of Wall Street wrongdoing. As attorney general, he also had prosecuted at least two prostitution rings as head of the state’s organized crime task force.
Nice to have a sex scandal for once that doesn’t involve a Republican, eh? He’s due to speak any minute. Video coming. Stand by.
Update: Flip coins a phrase.
Update: Not yet confirmed, but the word from the New York Sun is that the ring in question is the Emperor’s Club, which was indicted last week. The timing of Spitzer’s announcement suggests he’s trying to beat them to the punch. Here’s the website. Which lucky lady or ladies will be the subject of a Barbara Walters special going forward?
Update: Prosecutors in the Emperor’s Club case say some of the women charged $5,500 an hour. How did Spitz come up with that bread?
Update: Incredible. Fox News says “sources” claim Spitzer’s on his way out. Mind you, this was a guy touted as a potential Democratic presidential nominee not long ago.
Update: Lawhawk e-mails to say that Spitz’s father is a real estate mogul so $5,500 an hour isn’t out of the question.
Update: Spitz is a Hillary superdelegate. Think she’ll be getting any awkward questions over this about high-profile politicians who cheat on their wives?
Update: Man, is this moving fast. Now sources tell Fox that Spitzer’s been indicted. Some new details from the Times story:
The governor’s travel records show that he was in Washington in mid-February. One of the clients described in court papers arranged to meet with a prostitute who was part of the ring, the Emperors Club VIP on the night of Feb. 13.
Mr. Spitzer appeared on a CNBC television show at 7 a.m. the next morning. Later in the morning, he testified before a Congressional committee.
An affidavit filed in federal court in Manhattan in connection with that case lists six conversations between the man, identified as Client 9, and a booking agent for the Emperors Club.
Update: Here’s the Fox News story claiming that Spitzer plans to resign.
Update: There was supposed to be a press conference at 2:15 but MM e-mails to say she’s seen nothing more than a brief livestream on the local NY stations of Spitzer apologizing without admitting culpability. Here’s her impromptu transcript:
“I apologize to my family. I apologize to the public to whom I promised better…I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family”…No questions. No reference to the prostitution ring. No reference to resigning. No reference to indictment.
Update: Still more from the Times. Sloppy.
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…
The affidavit says that Client 9 met with the woman in hotel room 871 but does not identify the hotel. Mr. Spitzer stayed at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington on Feb. 13, according to a source who was told of his travel arrangements. Room 871 at the Mayflower Hotel that evening was registered under the another name.
Update: Via Slublog, the worst may be yet to come. Note the reference to unsafe practices.
Update: Here’s the video. No resignation.
Update: Cavuto is reporting now that the resignation will come later today.Update: Sloppiness by Fox — it looks like Spitzer hasn’t been indicted but merely named as one of the clients in the indictment against the ringleaders of the prostitution ring. Indictment coming under the Mann Act, perhaps? Stay tuned.
Update (Ed): This turned into a hot topic on the Ed Morrissey Show this afternoon, with Jazz Shaw contributing updates. CBS corroborates Cavuto — and says that David Paterson could be governor by 7 pm tonight.
Update: Radar reports that Hillary’s campaign site is suddenly Spitzer-free.
Update: Via Townhall, “Big deal,” says Dershowitz.
Update: The Times scours the FBI affidavit for details on “Client 9’s” rendezvous with “Kristen.” He’d used the service before, it seems, and was interested in pre-paying for his next appointment.
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Resigning?
RWLA on March 10, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Man, those guys in NY really were jealous of us with McGreavey, weren’t they?
Mr. Bingley on March 10, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Prediction: Spitzer will say he has a disease and he’s going into rehab. He will emerge in 90 days with higher approval ratings than ever.
Western_Civ on March 10, 2008 at 2:25 PM
And the AP is playing ‘Guess That Party’ with this story. Surprise, surprise!
DngrMse on March 10, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Nice.
THE CHOSEN ONE on March 10, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Geesh.
Vizzini on March 10, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Prediction: Spitzer will say he has a disease and he’s going into rehab. He will emerge in 90 days with higher approval ratings than ever.
Western_Civ on March 10, 2008 at 2:25 PM
He’s on the phone with Gavin Newsome as we speak.
THE CHOSEN ONE on March 10, 2008 at 2:27 PM
He’s probably a fluffer.
Geronimo on March 10, 2008 at 2:27 PM
no doubt he was merely doing an on site, undercover investigation of one of the last marketplaces in NY he has failed to destroy.
jp on March 10, 2008 at 2:28 PM
He’s toast.
JeffreyLloyd on March 10, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Think there are happy folks in Joe Bruno’s office this afternoon?
BrianBoru on March 10, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Lest we forget, this is the NY Times reporting. Who knows? Another prediction: The MSM will suddenly forget that Eliot is a D. Remember, it’s Sptizer-DEEE, New Yawk. DEEE, DEEE, DEEE
Western_Civ on March 10, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Oh man is this gonna leave a mark.
TroubledMonkey on March 10, 2008 at 2:29 PM
“I am a Whore-American”
exception on March 10, 2008 at 2:29 PM
I’m so proud of my governor!
/sarc
I can’t wait to hear this one!
IrishGirl17 on March 10, 2008 at 2:30 PM
A fluffer? Please advise.
Western_Civ on March 10, 2008 at 2:31 PM
Oh Pooh!
I thought you had some dirt on Jennifer Granholm- truly America’s worst governor. She’s screwed over the good folks of Michigan far more than Mr. Happy Pants.
highhopes on March 10, 2008 at 2:31 PM
Mmmm, sweet sweet schadenfraude. My question is, who was the investigator/prosecutor who had the stones to not sweep this under the rug?
trubble on March 10, 2008 at 2:32 PM
How was he involved? Pimp? Enforcer? Customer? “Sex-Trade Worker” (translation: Hooker)?
Enquiring minds wanna know.
Frozen Tex on March 10, 2008 at 2:32 PM
I saw the title and was surprised it wasn’t about Blagojevich.
I think we’ll have to set up a cage-match, winner gets to retain the “worst governor” title.
chitown55 on March 10, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Nothing but a resume enhancement for the Dhims.
Darksean on March 10, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Sweet.
Don’t you think you can trust us to be the judge of that?
Lee on March 10, 2008 at 2:33 PM
The first of many. Tables have turned. HAAAAAAAAA I’m laughing so hard I can’t type.
ilitigant on March 10, 2008 at 2:33 PM
New verb for sleazy politician who gets outed for unethical conduct after professing most ethical administration in history: Steamrolled.
Western_Civ on March 10, 2008 at 2:33 PM
So there is a governor worse than Rendell.
MarkoMancuso on March 10, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Whoa !!!
Jes’ hookin’ out for the folks, I take it?
franksalterego on March 10, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Yes AP, wife and kids, I know. Well, you’re a better man than me. Maybe it’s because I’m a New Yorker, and we seem to see Governor Steamroller everywhere we go, and everyone said that he’d be the best thing in NY since Teddy R. was governor. But I can’t help but say that the headlines made me smile. I don’t feel sorry him. I feel sorry for his wife and kids.
Plus, his escapades make Giuliani look like Pat Boone.
Pope Linus on March 10, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Can we still feel sorry for his wife and kids, while enjoying the schadenfreude of Spitzer being exposed?
thirteen28 on March 10, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Isn’t Spitzer one of Hillary’s superdelegates?
flyfisher on March 10, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Bwaah someone on the ABC site said “OK dems how is this Bush’s fault ?”
William Amos on March 10, 2008 at 2:36 PM
He’s a Democrat.
Resignation not likely.
drjohn on March 10, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Rudy for Gov?
jp on March 10, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Watch the MSM try to cover for him.
RobCon on March 10, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Well, I do, on both accounts.
Nineball on March 10, 2008 at 2:36 PM
He just got my vote. lol
devere252 on March 10, 2008 at 2:36 PM
I second, Go Rudy! Although it may be Bloomberg.
RobCon on March 10, 2008 at 2:37 PM
I question the timing.
Badger in KC on March 10, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Get your “Hillary For Governor” bumperstickers ready.
“I did not have sex with that hooker!”
Mr. Bingley on March 10, 2008 at 2:38 PM
yeah….i wouldn’t hit that even if i was getting paid. :P
its vintage duh on March 10, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Is that “linked” as in “handcuffs were involved”? Kudos to Flip for “Shtupergate”, though. Heh.
I feel sorry for his family, but all the blame rests on one guy named Eliot who chose to put them through this.
ReubenJCogburn on March 10, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Ouch, and yes.
Slublog on March 10, 2008 at 2:38 PM
If you don’t know, you may not want to.
CK MacLeod on March 10, 2008 at 2:38 PM
That’s a shame. I’d rather see D’s discredited because their ideas suck and people realize it. Nobody wants to see this happen to a family.
see-dubya on March 10, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Since he was in favor of driver’s license for illegals, were any of the prostitutes he was involved with illegal immigrants?
If so, then is it fair to say that even prostitution is another occupation illegal immigrants are willing to do that americans are not?
Weebork on March 10, 2008 at 2:39 PM
olby’s worst, too? doubtful.
i have a feeling that ted strickland is next on the list of crappy governors…
knob on March 10, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Just called my politically apathetic (but in a good way lol!) sister in Manhattan. She and all her office mates are in shock and the office is now all abuzz.
For me, subdued yet righteous glee as I was never a fan of Spitzer since he was AG. I’m a former CT resident who felt afflicted by a similar type of a trigger-happy, knee jerk, litigating AG.
geckomon on March 10, 2008 at 2:39 PM
A fluffer is someone who keeps the male porn stars, umm, ready for the next scene.
Geronimo on March 10, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Shtuperdelegate.
James on March 10, 2008 at 2:40 PM
So, the only question remaining is,
Is he a Pimp?…or, a John?
franksalterego on March 10, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Steamrolled!
Kid from Brooklyn on March 10, 2008 at 2:41 PM
$5,500 per hour? better check the expense reports
windansea on March 10, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Odds are that he will 1. Plead guility and ask for understanding 2. Will go into some rehab program & 3. Be the perfect candidate for 20012.
CloneTrooper on March 10, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Hell, more like “not in a million years” This will obviously be exposed as some vast right wing conspiracy.
I suspect Rove is still at it.
conservnut on March 10, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Governor Spritzer…
Mr. Bingley on March 10, 2008 at 2:42 PM
“Resigning?”
Heck no! This is a resume enhancement for democrats!
charlie36r on March 10, 2008 at 2:42 PM
From the Emperor’s Club site, it looks like they’re hiring:
see-dubya on March 10, 2008 at 2:42 PM
For Elliot
Love Potion #9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKSy5I3zsAA
William Amos on March 10, 2008 at 2:43 PM
The bigger they are………………..
Shy Guy on March 10, 2008 at 2:43 PM
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say Natalie.
txsurveyor on March 10, 2008 at 2:43 PM
That’s 2012, although maybe by then they will clone him and he can run as the ‘values’ candidate!.
CloneTrooper on March 10, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Before you guys at Hotair start referring to Gov. Eliot Spitzer as the worst Governor in the country, I suggest you take a good long hard look at the Governor of B.O.’s own state, Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois.
This guy makes Spitzer look like a rank amateur when it comes to doing really dumb dumb things, like doubling the price of tolls on the state tollway system to pay for many many miles of unneeded road repair, this despite the fact that the tollway system in this state was supposed to have been made a freeway system almost 20 years ago. That was until the state politicos saw the system as the current money-making machine it is right now.
But this is just the tip of the tip of the Blagojevich iceberg.
You thing Spitzer is bad?
Take a look at the antics of Blagojevich here in Illinois!
pilamaye on March 10, 2008 at 2:43 PM
I think I heard him say that Peter King talked him into it…or was it that it was just another drummed up rumor from the Right Wing Attack Machine…
charlie36r on March 10, 2008 at 2:44 PM
To clarify: I happen to agree with AP’s sentiment. But the last thing I need is to have my ethics spoonfed to me by an anonymous blogger. I’m a big boy and can handle that all by myself.
Lee on March 10, 2008 at 2:44 PM
I (can’t believe I) looked at the Emperor’s Club website, and the first thought that popped into my head at looking at the pictures of the ladies was:
“$5,500 per hour? Really? That much? I don’t see it…”
Frozen Tex on March 10, 2008 at 2:44 PM
I disagree. This self-righteous prick sued eveyone on the face of the Earth whether they deserved it or not and used his office to dig up dirt on Joe Bruno.
Schadenfreude it is, and with a capital S.
drjohn on March 10, 2008 at 2:44 PM
You guys in NY and Michigan have nothing on one Chris Gregoire in Washington who has excused the distributed vote fraud done in her name as well as the lies the teachers’ union (a.k.a. Washington Education Association) tells her & the people about everything from agency fee payers to the 2003 budget.
That said, Pamela Geller for NY Governor!!!
HotAirJosef on March 10, 2008 at 2:44 PM
At least he apparently likes girls. Here in Florida we have a flaming liberal/closet homosexual as a governor.
peacenprosperity on March 10, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Perfect timing- should get him the Veep slot any day now.
Chuck Schick on March 10, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Not to be indelicate, but did they say if it was a Male or Female prostitution ring? Or both?
Seven Percent Solution on March 10, 2008 at 2:45 PM
My thought: If he does resign (how likely is that?), it’s because the NY AG starts investigating this whole thing big time, thus paving his own way to the governor’s mansion.
Only problem is that the AG is a Cuomo.
Drop Spitzer, and draft Jim Kelly for governor. Rock on, Jim.
Pope Linus on March 10, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Bye Elliot.
mattyj86 on March 10, 2008 at 2:45 PM
A shoe in for re-election.
Let’s MoveOn(.org); everybody does it.
mylegsareswollen on March 10, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Exit Question. How many of these girls were Illegal Immigrants ?
William Amos on March 10, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Sorry about the wife and kids, but this is schadenfreude maximus. We’ve been swallowing this guy’s hubris in NY for years. He’s also involved in a major spying scandal against a Republic opponent from which he’s been ducking subpeona’s for months.
Cue Howard Cosell: Down goes Spitzer! Down goes Spitzer! Down goes Spitzer! Ethics Reform saunters off to the neutral corner to collect himself.
Western_Civ on March 10, 2008 at 2:46 PM
It looks like Eliot Spitzer’s spitzer got him into trouble…and the emperor had no clothes on at the Emperor’s Club.
Late Night television is going to be good this week.
watchmen on March 10, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Yeah, but she was born in Canadia. What do you expect?
Pope Linus on March 10, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Rudy!!!!
Ian on March 10, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Client.
CNN’s preliminary story has no mention of “Democrat”.
amerpundit on March 10, 2008 at 2:47 PM
No, my bad. I’m thinking of Granholm in MI. Well, they both suck.
Pope Linus on March 10, 2008 at 2:48 PM
You can’t keep a young trick, old Spitz.
mymanpotsandpans on March 10, 2008 at 2:48 PM
BTW did Elliot ever convict and send to jail anyone involved in Prositution ?
William Amos on March 10, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Spitzer Is Linked to Prostitution Ring
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By DANNY HAKIM and WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM
Published: March 10, 2008
ALBANY - Gov. Eliot Spitzer has informed his most senior administration officials that he had been involved in a prostitution ring, an administration official said this morning.
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Nathaniel Brooks for The New York Times
Governor Eliot Spitzer at a news conference in July 2007.
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.
The governor’s travel records show that he was in Washington in mid-February. One of the clients described in court papers arranged to meet with a prostitute who was part of the ring, the Emperors Club VIP on the night of Feb. 13.
Mr. Spitzer appeared on a CNBC television show at 7 a.m. the next morning. Later in the morning, he testified before a Congressional committee.
An affidavit filed in federal court in Manhattan in connection with that case lists six conversations between the man, identified as Client 9, and a booking agent for the Emperors Club.
He had a difficult first year in office, rocked by a mix of scandal and legislative setbacks. In recent weeks, however, Mr. Spitzer seemed to have rebounded, with his Democratic party poised to perhaps gain control of the state Senate for the first time in four decades.
Mr. Spitzer gained national attention when he served as attorney general with his relentless pursuit of Wall Street wrongdoing. As attorney general, he also had prosecuted at least two prostitution rings as head of the state’s organized crime task force.
In one such case in 2004, Mr. Spitzer spoke with revulsion and anger after announcing the arrest of 16 people for operating a high-end prostitution ring out of Staten Island.
“”This was a sophisticated and lucrative operation with a multitiered management structure,” Mr. Spitzer said at the time. ”It was, however, nothing more than a prostitution ring.”
Albany for months has been roiled by bitter fighting and accusations of dirty tricks. The Albany County district attorney is set to issue in the coming days the results of his investigation into Mr. Spitzer’s first scandal, his aides’ involvement in an effort to tarnish Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, the state’s top Republican.
al on March 10, 2008 at 2:49 PM
This is the clown who said in his inaugural address that on “Day one everything changes.”
I would say what a schmuck, but people voted for him.
On second thought, no he is still a schmuck.
dentalque on March 10, 2008 at 2:49 PM
It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
….and Wall Street erupted in celebration!
kcluva on March 10, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Tune in next week for the our next episode:
“The Bigger They Are”
or:
“Too Many Hall”
Shy Guy on March 10, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Notice that the AP article refuses to mention what party Spitzer belongs to.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080310/ap_on_re_us/spitzer_prostitution
BelchSpeak on March 10, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Maybe Clinton will drop out of the P race to run as NY Gov?
Maybe Rudy?
stenwin77 on March 10, 2008 at 2:52 PM
He may be the single worst governor in the country, but, we here in NJ have had the worst 4 in a row possible, including an alleged Republican. (Whitman)
farleyman on March 10, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Actually you are linking to the wrong business here. You are linking to “Emperor’s Club” with is a real model business when the prostitute business was called “Emperor’s Club VIP” and the website is actually:
http://www.emperorsclubvip.com
You will notice the website is down after the indictments last week. I bet this real model and talent agency is pissed about the confusion with the 2 names and links to them.
JeffinSac on March 10, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Again I ask, why the hell do people vote these dumbass politicans in the first place?? Bring on Rudy.
j0 on March 10, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Second look at… paying for sex?
Chuck Schick on March 10, 2008 at 2:55 PM
you’d think these guys with so much to lose, would be smart enough to atleast pay with cash.
jp on March 10, 2008 at 2:56 PM
isn’t Spitzer a trust-fund
Commiebaby?jp on March 10, 2008 at 2:57 PM
SPITZER TO RESIGN
amerpundit on March 10, 2008 at 2:58 PM
i have yet to hear a word about his party affiliation, but they did just say he is resigning.
trailortrash on March 10, 2008 at 2:58 PM
According to Fox he is about to resign.
EJDolbow on March 10, 2008 at 2:58 PM
He’s expected to resign.
And then run for President.
drjohn on March 10, 2008 at 2:58 PM
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