Calls for NY governor Eliot Spitzer to quit after prostitution scandal
Calls are mounting for the Governor of New York to resign after he was linked to a prostitution ring, in what he described as "a private matter".
Eliot Spitzer: The crusader who made enemies
The Smoking Gun: NY governor identified as 'Client-9' in FBI affidavit
Schadenfreude for Eliot Spitzer, fallen crusader
Eliot Spitzer - who the New York Post called "NY's naked emperor" this morning - has chosen instead to apologise to his family and the public without directly acknowledging any involvement with a prostitute.
US newspapers have lined up to write his political obituary, demanding that the "Sheriff of Wall Street", who could face federal charges over the alleged transgression, step down.
The 48-year-old had a reputation as a hard-nosed "Mr Clean" who had built his career as a relentless and moralistic foe of organised crime, corruption and alleged unethical Wall Street behaviour.
But the governor, who is married with three teenage daughters, was forced to issue his apology after the New York Times alleged that FBI agents had overheard him in conversation with an escort agency during a wire-tapping operation.
Mr Spitzer is alleged to have been recorded by agents as he stayed overnight during a visit to Washington last month.
The Emperors Club prostitution ring, which also operated in London and Paris, was closed down last week after a lengthy investigation. It had about 50 prostitutes who charged £500 to £2,750 an hour.
Looking shaken, Silda, his wife of 21 years, stood at his side as he made a brief public appearance at which he apologised.
A prominent superdelegate who supports Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, he failed to spell out what he was apologising for, he did not deny any of the allegations.
He said: "I have acted in a way that violates my obligation to my family and violates my, or any sense, of right or wrong. I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family."
Although he had made many political enemies and been battered by a series of political controversies, the revelation about his private life was met with stunned disbelief on all sides.
Four people connected to the Emperors Club were charged with prostitution offences last week.
An affidavit presented to the court said that a wiretap recording captured a man identified as Client 9 confirming plans to have a woman travel from New York to Washington.
During several phone calls with an Emperors Club booker, Client 9 negotiated the arrival of his "package" — a pretty petite brunette.
The prostitute later rang the Emperors Club to say she had been paid $4,300, after spending around two and a half hours with him. Sources said investigators believe that Mr Spitzer was Client 9.
His statement was widely seen as a pre-emptive strike before the full details of the allegations were made public.
Federal prosecutors rarely charge clients in prostitution cases, which are generally seen as state crimes.
However, the Mann Act, passed by Congress in 1910, makes it a crime to transport someone between states for the purpose of prostitution.
As attorney general, Mr Spitzer prosecuted at least two prostitution rings as head of the state's organised crime task force.
In one such case in 2004, he spoke of his revulsion and anger after announcing the arrest of 16 people for operating an upmarket prostitution ring out of Staten Island.
As the attorney general of New York, he also earned himself a reputation as a scourge of alleged unethical behaviour on Wall Street.
"Get ready for a schadenfreude festival on Wall Street," said Barry Ritholtz, the director of equity research at Fusion IQ, a New York investment company.
