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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$5,500 an hour? Unless the woman is Jennifer Love Hewitt, that’s just crazy.
SoulGlo on March 10, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Rumor is he is resigning ?
William Amos on March 10, 2008 at 2:59 PM
That’s what sources are telling Fox.
amerpundit on March 10, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Ouch!
WayWard Fundamentalist Christian on March 10, 2008 at 2:59 PM
“Eliot Spitzer annouces his availability for the postion of Democratic candidate for Vice President of the United States.”
drjohn on March 10, 2008 at 3:00 PM
In an effort to clean up politics, Elliot Spitzer is going to take out the worst politician in New York state politics today.
EJDolbow on March 10, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Uh… it’s only about sex, right? How is this so much worse than Clinton diddling an intern…uh… repeatedly, in the oval office. Or how about fondling a grieving Kathleen Willey (sp?) Sure, there’s the “illegal” aspect of prostitution, but, hey… can’t we all be “progressive thinkers” here. It’s a victimless crime. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
How much of a bump in alcohol sales will Wall Street bars have today just on celebratory toasts? That’s the kind of economic stimulus we can use!
Sugar Land on March 10, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Maybe he still gets his weekly allowance from Pop.
Dusty on March 10, 2008 at 3:00 PM
This just breaking!: Spitzer was only trying to give these poor illegal girls NY State Drivers Licenses. Probably so they could drive him crazy, but I digress.
We have the junior senator not-from-NY, Hillary Diane Rodham. Senator, are you in favor of giving prostitutes gubernatorial attention?
Hill: Well, I applaud what the governor is trying to do, but I’m not saying that’s the right way to go about it. Call me at 3am and I’ll have a decisive answer.
Western_Civ on March 10, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Hmm, wife and 3 daughters huh? Nice example you’re setting their champ. You must be so proud. Think of how your wife and kids feel right about now. Was it worth $5500 and a skank?
Reap it all baby.
Geronimo on March 10, 2008 at 3:01 PM
If you want something really fun, go take a gander at DailyKos or some of those sites–the angst and “woe is us” is very amusing.
They really loved Spitzer. Except since he’s supporting Clinton, lots are trying to tie Spitzer to Clinton, and bashing him in their zeal of Obama worship. Quite Fun!
Vanceone on March 10, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Resigning?
franksalterego on March 10, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Wonder how long it will take for someone to blame the republicans for this? Specifically, Bush.
jewells45 on March 10, 2008 at 3:01 PM
HAHAHHH!! Yeah, I keep waiting for some of the stories about ol’ Charlie to get out in the open. I’ve heard a couple good ones out here on Tampa Bay.
Eliot got ripped off, hope he was paying for the discretion. Geez, the foreign girls are the hottest ones on that site.
RW Wacko on March 10, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Maybe Spitzer is the Fluffer? I could be wrong.
upinak on March 10, 2008 at 3:02 PM
To reinforce you are talking about the wrong business from your own link they state:
Yet if you notice all the faces on the Emperor’s Club website are visible. The correct and full name is “Emperor’s Club VIP” and without the VIP at the end you are referencing the wrong business.
JeffinSac on March 10, 2008 at 3:02 PM
ROFL!! Indeed!
Though, I can think of a few more.
I DO like the thought of Rudy sliding into the vacant spot. Give him something to do, and a foil for Hillary just for fun.
Just let your SOUL GLOOOOOW!!!!!
Darksean on March 10, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Eeeeyouch. How the mighty have fallen. What a downer for him! He can’t possibly ask for leniency, having thrown the book at similar scoundrels in the past.
I do feel sorry for the wife and kids, though. They’re going to get dragged through the mud as a result, and only he deserves it.
flutejpl on March 10, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Spitzer has been indicted, two sources tell Fox News.
amerpundit on March 10, 2008 at 3:04 PM
woops! Hah, anyone got the real pics?
RW Wacko on March 10, 2008 at 3:04 PM
So that’s why my property taxes are so high!
Pope Linus on March 10, 2008 at 3:05 PM
But did you see the new pic of Spitzer and the “Quote” they have up! Priceless!
upinak on March 10, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Schadenfreude is always in order!
Lehuster on March 10, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Spitzer was indicted in the prostitution ring on February(?) 7th, sources tell Fox.
He was indicted by the Southern district.
amerpundit on March 10, 2008 at 3:05 PM
JeffinSac–I just tried pulling up the emperorsclubvip site on the wayback machine and it’s still there, although it’s currently swamped by traffic and takes forever. The website layout is exactly the same as the “spokesmodels” emperors’ club site everyone is linking to and the english-as-a-second language ad copy makes me think the two businesses are connected.
see-dubya on March 10, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Ohhhh Fox says souces say Spitzer will quit. LOL YAY!
upinak on March 10, 2008 at 3:06 PM
February 13th?
I wonder if he celebrated Valentine’s Day with his wife.
I assume the blush is off those roses.
benjamin on March 10, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Married with 3 children, the Governor of the State of New York, whom formerly prosecuted prostitution rings as Attorney General, paid for (or maybe he was comp’d?) and spent a portion of Valentines Day with a whore for hire. What a man. I bet his wife stays with him and makes the obligatory television appearences in support of her man, too.
SCUM
SilverStar830 on March 10, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Funniest comment yet.
peacenprosperity on March 10, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Spitzer indicted by the southern district of New York??????
EJDolbow on March 10, 2008 at 3:06 PM
At $5,500 per hour these girls are not spitters, they swallow.
cjs1943 on March 10, 2008 at 3:07 PM
No poll yet! I’m voting for Alicia!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on March 10, 2008 at 3:07 PM
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?
Probably got some sort of Government discount.
Kasper Hauser on March 10, 2008 at 3:07 PM
I’m ashamed that I find this story amusing. After seeing it on Fox News I checked Rush’s broadcast, and he hardly mentioned it, as the show was nearly over. I’m guessing that this will lead the news cycle for a few days. Look for HClinton to go into “no questions” mode. New York is a great state deserving better officials.
Doug on March 10, 2008 at 3:07 PM
This site shows a screencap of the escort site……
RW Wacko on March 10, 2008 at 3:08 PM
rather, that is the screencap
RW Wacko on March 10, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Worst Governor in America ??? Heck that is a wide open field.
;)
redrock on March 10, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Or, something happened in the Hillary camp that just can not see the light of day, and he was instructed to fall on his sword?
I so do love conspiracy theories……..
Seven Percent Solution on March 10, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Well said.
Branch Rickey on March 10, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Two+ sources are telling that to Fox.
amerpundit on March 10, 2008 at 3:10 PM
DANG IT… I wish I could watch him saying he is resigning!
upinak on March 10, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Hallelujah!
Now let’s take another look at Ed Rendell.
petefrt on March 10, 2008 at 3:10 PM
If they’ve been having sex with a liberal I wouldn’t touch them with a ten foot pole.
peacenprosperity on March 10, 2008 at 3:10 PM
So he’s been doing to working girls what he’s been doing to businesses and New Yorkers.
(I’m late to the party)
I hope this gets him out of office right quick.
rbj on March 10, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Indicted? Is this some kind of bust?
(very impressive, madam, but we just need to ask you a few questions….)
see-dubya on March 10, 2008 at 3:11 PM
IT’S SPITZMAS IN MARCH !!!!
stenwin77 on March 10, 2008 at 3:11 PM
So much for bringing prostitution to its knees!
moxie_neanderthal on March 10, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Rats. He didn’t resign.
petefrt on March 10, 2008 at 3:13 PM
two predictions…
1. The perfect “OUT” for Hillary. She can leave the Pres race, dignity in tact to run for NY Gov. because she CARES SO MUCH for the citizens of NY.
2. The “prostitution ring” involved EMPLOYMENT, if you will, for Mexican women.
stenwin77 on March 10, 2008 at 3:14 PM
See the Dem Gov. falling Down… la la la la la la la la la
Watching Spitzer jerkin round…. la lalalalalalala
New Media in a frenzy! LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA
Spitzers face is red and angry.. LALALALALALALALA
Oh sorry I got in the mood.
upinak on March 10, 2008 at 3:14 PM
The AP article I read never mentioned party affiliation. Although it did mention the affiliation of the AG that he busted for travel expenses.
Care to guess who’s who?
lodestonejames on March 10, 2008 at 3:14 PM
So sad that women are brought down with men like that.
Esthier on March 10, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Fox says he went out, resigned, and left.
amerpundit on March 10, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Oh good: The new governor is even more Liberal.
amerpundit on March 10, 2008 at 3:15 PM
You mean Spitzer’s position (I Assume)?
moxie_neanderthal on March 10, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Well, that takes Illinois Gov. Blogoyoo..Blagoiev..oh. Heck
Rod B. in Springfield, off the headlines…
CBarker on March 10, 2008 at 3:17 PM
He’s plagiarizing BJ: It’s only about sex. It has nothing to do with my performance in gubmit.
petefrt on March 10, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Now Fox says he didn’t resign. He took no questions, apologized to his family, and quickly left.
amerpundit on March 10, 2008 at 3:17 PM
The Fox Story doesn’t even mention his Party. They really have go the MSM route, haven’t they?
michaelo on March 10, 2008 at 3:17 PM
dude
jp on March 10, 2008 at 3:17 PM
DID he resign??
Darksean on March 10, 2008 at 3:17 PM
You think Gov Rod is involved with Rezko possibly?
upinak on March 10, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Fox is speculating that he submitted his resignation papers but did not mention it in his 30 second statement.
EJDolbow on March 10, 2008 at 3:18 PM
wow….just for the record, the title of “America’s worst governor” belongs to Jon Corzine in NJ.
Please update your records.
Thanks.
wildweasel on March 10, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Prostitute and Spitz just seem to go together.
moxie_neanderthal on March 10, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Got that right. In fact, it fits so perfectly it makes me wonder if it was engineered.
petefrt on March 10, 2008 at 3:19 PM
A perfect running mate for Hillary !!!
aniladesai on March 10, 2008 at 3:20 PM
His next press conference will announce the legalization of prostitution in New York retroactive to 1 year ago.
thebrokenchair on March 10, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Wife and kids, so schadenfreude isn’t in order.
Spanglemaker on March 10, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Heck yea! Chicago Machine politics baby….We will never know the whole story.
Rezko has had his hands in alot of suburban stuff as well. Or so the grapevine says…
CBarker on March 10, 2008 at 3:21 PM
You said he didn’t resign.. can you give more info?
upinak on March 10, 2008 at 3:21 PM
No, no, apparently they do Spit(zers).
Frozen Tex on March 10, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Nope. Didn’t resign. Apologized to his family and ran out like a coward. Don’t know if they even caught the weasel on tape.
Sugar Land on March 10, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Hey there pilamaye - you remind of the awesome poster here “Yo” from Chicago. Great posts by him/her and also describes how much Chicago politics is ruining the city - you two have much to discuss! ;) BTW, not to get into a competition, lol, but few of you had to have Juhmmy the Dimmy Carter as governor. LOL!
Branch Rickey on March 10, 2008 at 3:23 PM
Yes, I agree.
j0 on March 10, 2008 at 3:24 PM
I feel for you. You couldn’t pay me enough to live in IL. But some of the nicest people live there.
Worst Gov.’s in Nation:
1. Spitzer
2. Granholm
3. Corzine
4. WA State Gov (spaced out name)
Anyone else care to answer?
upinak on March 10, 2008 at 3:24 PM
So I guess he was a “vagina-friendly” governor.
see-dubya on March 10, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Senator D’Amato has multiple sources saying the Lt. Gov. is prepared to take the reigns.
amerpundit on March 10, 2008 at 3:25 PM
I should clarify. He didn’t mention resigning in his public statement. I’m listening to Hannity now, who’s coovering it on his radio show. It’s possible he submitted his resignation, but decided not to mention it in his statement.
petefrt on March 10, 2008 at 3:25 PM
petefrt on March 10, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Thank you… Hannity (radio) is an hour behind me up here. Due to taping and satalite.
upinak on March 10, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Now, the question is,,
at least for me..
Who else frequented the Emperor’s Club?
normsrevenge on March 10, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Who is Lt. Gov. in NYS?
stenwin77 on March 10, 2008 at 3:28 PM
For that amount of money, they better have tasted like French Vanilla Ice Cream……
Seven Percent Solution on March 10, 2008 at 3:28 PM
David Patterson. I think he’s actually blind. Other than that, not much else I can tell you.
kcluva on March 10, 2008 at 3:30 PM
David Paterson. He’s even more Liberal than Spitzer.
amerpundit on March 10, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Actually, it’s more likely the VIP folks found the original website, copied it, swapped out photos and added VIP to the website name. I can’t find the reference site right now, but there’s numerous examples of this type of occurance.
darury on March 10, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Client Number Nine . . . kinda has a nice ring to it. Remember that old song, Love Potion No. 9? Wonder how long it takes for some clever poet to make a song about Spitzer set to that tune.
AZCoyote on March 10, 2008 at 3:31 PM
First, they resurrected Hilary to fight on and bloody-up Obama. Now it seems they have convinced Eliot Spitzer not to resign, thus becoming a yoke around Hilary’s neck – and in extension Obama’s. Damn! That Karl Rove / Rush Limbaugh team is good.
RMR on March 10, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Client #9 going to Cell Block #9?
kcluva on March 10, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Sigh here is the real victims of this story
Elliot spitzers family
So do have respect for them and the tough time they are going through
William Amos on March 10, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Why is anyone surprised? Just another example of elected Democratic little heads ruling over the big heads.
Right, Bubba?
localmalcontent on March 10, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Somewhere there is a last guy to leave the club before the news to broke…
I suspect there will be many uncomfortable conversations tonight.
moxie_neanderthal on March 10, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Wall Street must be having a field day with this.
Lance Murdock on March 10, 2008 at 3:33 PM
In the paper Fox News has, he is not indicted. In fact, the paper is a complaint — not an indictment. The Governor has not been indicted according to the paper in Fox’s possession.
amerpundit on March 10, 2008 at 3:34 PM
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