Eliot Spitzer, Governor of New York, Linked to Prostitution Ring as Client 9 … Resignation Cannot be Far Away

What was that sound? That was the sound of the thud of Eliot Spitzer’s career falling off the Empire State Building.

And for the political bomb shell of the day … the  Governor of New York, Democrat Eliot Spitzer, has been linked to a prostitution ring, this is going to leave a political mark. Eliot Spitzer has been identified as “Client 9” in “Hooker-gate”. Not just any “hookergate, but a $5500 per hour hookergate. As Rusty at The Jawa Report stated, “these were not street corner crack whores, but hot upscale models.  Say good bye Mr. Governor … there is no way your political career is surviving this.

With the bombshell news today that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has been implicated in a prostitution ring, the Democratic politician will now always be known as “Client-9,” one of the johns described in a recently unsealed FBI affidavit detailing the operation of the Emperors Club, an international call girl ring.

It is hard to believe that Eliot Spitzer, a man who had prosecuted so many as a DA and Attorney General would be taken down by the very devices he used over the years to bring criminals to justice. Talk about living and dying by the same sword. Spitzer will never be able to survive this scandal as there is already talk of his resignation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 10, 2008
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR ELIOT SPITZER

(Client 9, there is going to be hell to pay at the Spitzer home this evening)

ALBANY – Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who gained national prominence relentlessly pursuing Wall Street wrongdoing, has been caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute at a Washington hotel last month, according to a law enforcement official and a person briefed on the investigation.

The wiretap 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 hotel room, according to an affidavit filed in federal court in Manhattan. The person briefed on the case and the law enforcement official identified Mr. Spitzer as Client 9.

Mr. Spitzer, a first term Democrat, today made a brief public appearance during which he apologized for his behavior, and described it as a “private matter.” He did not address his political future. (NY Times)

Prostitution link tarnishes Spitzer’s “clean” image

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer promised voters he would clean up the state’s corrupt political ethics, but a report on Monday that he is linked to a prostitution ring is threatening to derail the career of a man once considered a political star.

• Read affidavit at the Smoking Gun
• Read the entire Sealed Complaint here

Affidavit: Spitzer met with prostitute ‘Kristen’

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Federal prosecutors have unsealed a 47-page affidavit that details a nearly 2½-hour rendezvous that took place in a Washington hotel room last month between New York’s Gov. Eliot Spitzer and a prostitute.

The prostitute, identified only as “Kristen” worked for the Emperors Club, which charged between $1,000 and $5,500 an hour and operated in New York; Los Angeles, California; Miami, Florida; London, England; and Paris, France, according to court papers.

Gov. Spitzer apologized to his family and the state after Tied to Prostitution Ring

… shocking reports surfaced that he was a regular at high-class prostitution ring that charged upward of $5,500-an-hour for its high-end hookers.

Source: Spitzer ID’d As ‘Client 9′ In Court Papers

According to a law enforcement source close to the investigation, the Democratic governor used the alias “George Fox” when meeting with a prostitute. His alleged conversations with the prostitution ring are detailed in court papers in which Spitzer is identified as “Client 9,” according to a source.

What are Bloggers Saying:

• Gawker: Governor Spitzer Is an Idiot (But He Shouldn’t Resign)
• The Jawa Report: NY Governor Spitzer Linked to Prostitution Ring (With Pics)
• Ace of Spades: R E S I G N I NG ! ! ! UNDER INDICTMENT?!
  NYT: NY GOV. ELLIOT SPITZER “HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN” PROSTITUTION RING
  Update: “Empeeror’s Club” Brothel, Five F#@*ing Grand A Pop!
• The Raw Story: Spitzer apologizes to family while resignation speculation swirls
• Hot Air: A walk down Spitzer Memory Lane
• Q and O: Elliot Spitzer: Progressive Champion
• The Gothamist: Governor Spitzer Involved with Prostitution Ring;
  Spitzer Has Not Resigned

UPDATE I: Sources: Spitzer Resignation Expected
Lt. Gov. David Paterson Could Be Sworn In Within 48 Hours
Spitzer: ‘I Have Violated My Obligations To My Family’

And right on key,Wonkette is never at a loss for words or etiquette when discussing such stories … SPITZER’S PLANS FOR TONIGHT — RESIGN, OR HAVE WHORE SEX?

Gov. Eliot Spitzer was not expected to continue as governor and may resign as soon as Monday night, sources told CBS 2 shortly after it was reported that he was linked to a prostitution ring.

Reliable sources initially told CBS 2 Political Reporter Marcia Kramer that Lt. Gov. David Paterson could be handed the job as early as Monday night, though other sources say the process could take up to 48 hours.

State Assemblyman James Tedisco (R-Schenectady) told CBS 2 that he spoke with Paterson earlier Monday evening and that the two discussed Paterson taking on a new role of leadership, leading Tedisco to believe that action was “forthcoming.” (WCBSTV)

UPDATE II: New York could get first African-American governor, David A. Paterson.

The State of New York may have its first African American governor, David A. Paterson, due to Eliot Spitzer/George Fox/Client 9 and his colassal error in judgement in being linked to a prostitution ring.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - David A. Paterson would become the first African-American governor of New York if the current governor, Eliot Spitzer, resigns in the wake of allegations of ties to prostitution.

Paterson, who is legally blind, was elected lieutenant governor in November 2006 together with Spitzer. The New York Times said the governor, a Democrat and former state attorney general, was caught on a federal wiretap last month as he arranged to meet a prostitute.