Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal
{{Short description|2008 scandal involving the Governor of New York}}
{{Pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2013}}
File:Eliot Spitzer (higher res).jpg
On March 10, 2008, The New York Times reported that Eliot Spitzer, Governor of New York, had patronized a prostitution ring run by an escort agency known as Emperors Club VIP. During the course of an investigation into the escort agency, the federal government became aware of Spitzer's involvement with prostitutes due to a wiretap. Following the public disclosure of his actions, Spitzer resigned as governor effective March 17, 2008.
Emperors Club VIP
{{Infobox company
| name = Emperors Club VIP
| logo = Logo-emperorsclubvip-com.png
| logo_size = 220px
| caption =
| type = Private
| fate = Cease and desist of a criminal enterprise
| founders = Mark Brener
Cecil Suwal
| foundation = {{start date and age|2004}}
| defunct = {{end date|2008|3|11}}
| location = New York City, U.S.
| industry = Sex trade
| products = Escorts, dating, prostitutes
| key_people = Mark Brener; Cecil Suwal; Temeka Rachelle Lewis; Tanya Hollander.
| num_employees =
| website = http://www.emperorsclubvip.com https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/nys/pressreleases/March08/emperorsclubcomplaintredacted.pdf (defunct)
}}
Image:Emperors Club V.I.P.-Samantha.jpg
Emperors Club VIP was an international escort agency based in New York City, founded in 2004 by Israeli national{{cite news |last=Lando |first=Michal |title=Israeli man pleading guilty in Spitzer hooker ring case |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/israeli-man-pleading-guilty-in-spitzer-hooker-ring-case |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=June 12, 2008 |access-date=December 30, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Treiman |first=Daniel |title=Spitzer Scandal's Israeli Connection |url=https://forward.com/life/12878/spitzer-scandal-s-israeli-connection/ |work=The Forward |date=March 10, 2008 |access-date=December 30, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Kampeas |first=Ron |title=Israeli twist in Spitzer scandal |url=https://www.jta.org/2008/03/10/united-states/israeli-twist-in-spitzer-scandal |work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |date=March 10, 2008 |access-date=December 30, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Greenberg |first=Brad A. |title=The Israeli behind Spitzer's fall |url=https://jewishjournal.com/uncategorized/18029/ |work=Jewish Journal |date=March 12, 2008 |access-date=December 30, 2024}} Mark Brener and his partner, Cecil Suwal and operated from the bank accounts of QAT Consulting Group, Inc., and QAT International, Inc.{{cite court |litigants=United States of America v. Mark Brener, et al.
Emperors Club VIP offered, via their internet website, the services of fifty escorts rated on a scale from three to seven diamonds for appointments in New York, Washington, Miami, London and Paris,{{cite court |litigants=United States of America v. Mark Brener, et al.
The agency was shut down in March 2008 following a federal investigation into suspicious money transfers.{{cite news | author=William K. Rashbaum | title=Revelations Began in Routine Tax Inquiry | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/nyregion/11inquire.html?ex=1362974400 | work=The New York Times | date=2008-03-11 | access-date=2008-07-24 | archive-date=August 24, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824030634/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/nyregion/11inquire.html?ex=1362974400 | url-status=live }}
=Alleged clients=
- New York governor Eliot Spitzer was identified as having procured services in excess of US$80,000 from Emperors Club VIP over a period of two years. After campaigning on promises of ethics and integrity, and himself having prosecuted prostitution rings in his career,{{cite press release |url=http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2004/apr/apr7a_04.html |title=Operators of "Escort Services" Indicted: Authorities Say the Business Was a Front for a Massive Prostitution Ring |publisher=Office of the New York State Attorney General |date=2004-04-07 |access-date=2008-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420130703/http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2004/apr/apr7a_04.html |archive-date=2008-04-20 |url-status=dead }} Spitzer was forced to resign as governor amid charges of hypocrisy and threats of impeachment.{{cite news |title=Deadline: Republicans Threaten Impeachment |url=http://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/spitzer.prostitution.ring.2.673848.html |publisher=WCBS-TV |date=12 March 2008 |access-date=2008-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611054650/http://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/spitzer.prostitution.ring.2.673848.html |archive-date=2008-06-11 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/03/report_governor_spitzer_involv.html |title=Report: Governor Spitzer Involved With 'Prostitution Ring' |work=New York Magazine |date=2008-03-10 |first=Chris |last=Bovzar |author2=Pressler, Jessica |author2-link=Jessica Pressler |access-date=March 15, 2008 |archive-date=March 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314001426/http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/03/report_governor_spitzer_involv.html? |url-status=live }}{{cite news |work=The New York Times |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E1D91438F93BA35757C0A9629C8B63 |title=18 Arrested in Lucrative Prostitution Ring out of Staten Island |last=Rashbaum |first=William K |date=2004-04-08 |access-date=2008-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314160612/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E1D91438F93BA35757C0A9629C8B63 |archive-date=2008-03-14 |url-status=dead }}
- The United Kingdom's then 3rd wealthiest man, the Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster, was alleged by former Emperors Club VIP escort Zana Brazdek to have engaged her services through the company.{{cite news |author=Larry McShane |title=Duke Of Westminster: Prostitution Client, Allegedly, of Emperors Club VIP |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/12/duke-of-westminster-pros_n_91218.html |work=New York Daily News |date=12 March 2008 |access-date=2008-07-24 |archive-date=March 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318063401/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/12/duke-of-westminster-pros_n_91218.html |url-status=live }} Attorneys responding on his behalf hold that the Duke was not in London on the dates she reports.{{cite web |author=Pareene |url=http://gawker.com/367418/richest-man-in-britain-threatens-every-paper-in-the-nation |title=England's Dreaming: Richest Man in Britain Threatens Every Paper in the Nation |work=Gawker |date=13 March 2008 |access-date=2008-03-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314210434/http://gawker.com/367418/richest-man-in-britain-threatens-every-paper-in-the-nation |archive-date=2008-03-14 }}
Investigations
File:Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C.jpg in Washington.]]
File:Emperors Club Screenshot.jpg.]]
File:Emperors Club Pricelist.jpg showing list of prices for escort services.]]
The investigation of Spitzer was initiated after North Fork BankRichburg, Keith B.; Schmidt, Susan; Johnson, Carrie (March 11, 2008). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/11/AR2008031100380.html "FBI Watched Spitzer Before February Incident"]. The Washington Post. reported suspicious transactions to the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network as required by the Bank Secrecy Act, which was enhanced by Patriot Act provisions, enacted to combat terrorist activity such as money laundering.Hosenball, Mark (March 15, 2008). [http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2008/03/15/unintended-consequences.html "Unintended consequences: Spitzer got snagged by the fine print of the Patriot Act"]. Newsweek. Spitzer had at least seven liaisons with prostitutes from the Emperors Club over six months, and paid more than $15,000 for their services. Federal agents had him under surveillance twice in 2008.{{cite news |title=Sources: Spitzer used call-girl service at least 8 times |publisher=CNN|date=March 12, 2008 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/12/spitzer.investigation/index.html |access-date=March 13, 2008 }}Kessler, Robert. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20080314134125/http://www.latimes.com/ny-stpro0311,0,4551038.story Eliot Spitzer met with call girls 7 or 8 times]". Newsday. March 11, 2008."[http://www.wnbc.com/politics/15562646/detail.html GOP Pol: Resign Or Else] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312093827/http://www.wnbc.com/politics/15562646/detail.html |date=March 12, 2008 }}". WNBC. March 11, 2008. According to published reports, investigators believe Spitzer paid up to $80,000 for prostitutes over a period of several years – first while he was attorney general, and later as governor.{{cite news |title=Spitzer resigns amid sex scandal |first=Sheldon |last=Alberts |work=Canwest News Service |publisher=The Gazette |date=March 12, 2008 |url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=1722ada9-2541-4484-912a-b41d794f063f |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315133804/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=1722ada9-2541-4484-912a-b41d794f063f |archive-date=March 15, 2008 |df=mdy }}[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hbn0pGJNidI7Ajy1sRrQCB2vHG2QD8VC4L1O0 Disgraced NY Governor Won't Need New Job], Associated Press, March 12, 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315125116/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hbn0pGJNidI7Ajy1sRrQCB2vHG2QD8VC4L1O0 |date=March 15, 2008 }}
Governor Spitzer, referred to as "Client 9" in an affidavit filed in US Federal Court,[http://www.nysun.com/pics/Emperors_Club_Complaint.pdf United States of America v. Mark Brener, Cecil Suwal, Temeka Rachelle Lewis, and Tanya Hollander] (pdf). United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. March 5, 2008. Federal complaint. arranged to meet at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington on February 13, 2008, with a prostitute named "Kristen". "Kristen" was later identified as 22-year-old Ashley Dupré.{{cite news |title=I'm no monster says New Jersey girl who brought down Spitzer|location=New York|work= Daily News |first1=Stephanie |last1=Gaskell |last2=Hutchinson|first2=Bill |date=March 13, 2008|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/monster-new-jersey-girl-brought-spitzer-article-1.290518}} She intended to travel from New York City for the planned tryst and Spitzer agreed in advance that he "would be paying for everything—train tickets, cab fare from the hotel and back, mini-bar or room service, travel time and hotel".{{cite news |title=NY Governor Linked to High-end Prostitution Ring |first=Amy |last=Westfeldt |agency=Associated Press |date=March 10, 2008 |url=http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_8521914|work=The Denver Post}} After the meeting on February 13, 2008, Spitzer paid her $4,300 in cash.[http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/12/spitzer.kristen/ "Newspaper identifies Spitzer's 'Kristen{{'"}}]. CNN. March 12, 2008. The payment included $1,100 as a deposit toward future services to be provided by the Emperors Club.{{cite news |title=Details of how Eliot Spitzer told the prostitute to meet him in the Washington hotel room for tryst |first=Helen |last=Kennedy |location=New York|work=Daily News |date=March 11, 2008 |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/03/11/2008-03-11_details_of_how_eliot_spitzer_arranged_a_.html}}
Room 871 at the Mayflower Hotel was booked under the name George Fox, a pseudonym that was allegedly the name of his close friend, a hedge fund investor.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/nyregion/11night.html |title=Affidavit: Client 9 and Room 871 |work=The New York Times |date=March 11, 2008 |access-date=March 16, 2008 |first1=Alam|last1=Feuer|first2=Ian|last2=Urbina}} Some of this information came to light from a United States Department of Justice wiretap.{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/10/spitzer-as-client-9-read_n_90787.html |title=Spitzer As Client 9: Read Text Messages From Spitzer To Prostitute |work=HuffPost |date=March 10, 2008 |first=Nico |last=Pitney}}{{cite news
|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0306082emperor6.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726194026/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0306082emperor6.html
|archive-date=July 26, 2010
|url-status=dead
|title=Online Hooker Ring Busted
|date=March 6, 2008
|work=The Smoking Gun
|df=mdy
}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/n-y-governor-apologizes-after-reports-tie-him-to-prostitution-ring-1.700092|title=N.Y. governor apologizes after reports tie him to prostitution ring|date=March 11, 2008|publisher=CBC News|access-date=May 22, 2012}}
According to Newsday, Spitzer wanted to transfer more than $10,000 to a front company for the prostitution ring. However, he broke up the transactions into smaller slices due to federal law requiring the reporting of any transfer of $10,000 or more. When he tried to get his name taken off the wires, the bank refused, saying that the money had already been wired out and that it would be improper to do so in any case. The IRS Criminal Investigation Division then began a probe, initially fearing that Spitzer was the victim of either extortion or identity theft.{{cite news |first=Robert E. |last=Kessler |title=Eliot Spitzer's bank turned him in to the IRS |url=http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stspitzerbank0312,0,4637246.story |work=Newsday |date=March 11, 2008 |access-date=March 11, 2008 }}
North Fork's report in July 2007 went largely unnoticed until HSBC filed a report in the fall that the transactions were going to QAT International and QAT Consulting Group, which were offshore shell companies operating as a front for the Emperors Club VIP.[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/nyregion/13legal.html "Spitzer Fall Began With Bank Reports"]. The New York Times. March 13, 2008.
Later, the IRS contacted the FBI to investigate possible political corruption. The investigation led federal authorities to link the money transfers to the Emperors Club.{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4424507&page=1 |title=It Wasn't the Sex; Suspicious $$ Transfers Led to Spitzer |first=Brian |last=Ross |date=March 10, 2008 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/11/spitzer.money/index.html |title= Sources: Money transfers spurred Spitzer probe |access-date= March 11, 2008 |last=Arena |first=Kelli |date=March 11, 2008 |publisher=CNN}} Prosecutors charged the four people operating the escort service with violations of the Mann Act several days prior to the revelations of Spitzer's involvement.Weiner, Eric. "[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88104308 The Long, Colorful History of the Mann Act]". NPR. March 10, 2008.
In November 2008, the Department of Justice declined to prosecute Spitzer for violating the Mann Act.[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/nyregion/07spitzer.html "No Federal Prostitution Charges for Spitzer"], DANNY HAKIM, WILLIAM K. RASHBAUM. New York Times. November 6, 2008. Retrieved 27 feb 2017
Public disclosure and resignation
On March 7, 2008, The New York Times reported that the federal government had arrested four people in connection with an international online prostitution ring run by Emperors Club VIP.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/nyregion/07prostitution.html |title=Four Charged With Running Online Prostitution Ring |first=Alan |last=Feuer |date=March 7, 2008 |access-date=April 24, 2019 |work=The New York Times }}
On March 10, the Times reported that Spitzer had been "caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a high-priced prostitute at a Washington hotel".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/nyregion/10cnd-spitzer.html|title=Spitzer Is Linked to Prostitution Ring|work=The New York Times|last1=Hakim|first1=Danny|last2=Rashbaum|first2=William|date=March 10, 2008|access-date=April 24, 2019}} Spitzer was identified as "Client 9", and the Times stated that he had met with a prostitute from Emperors Club VIP at a Washington, D.C. hotel.
Later on March 10, Spitzer held a press conference. At that time, he said:
I have acted in a way that violates my obligation to my family and violates my or any sense of right and wrong. I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public to whom I promised better. 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.
Following Spitzer's March 10 press conference, New York State Assembly Republican Minority Leader James Tedisco and Republican New York Congressman Peter King separately called for his resignation. Tedisco later announced that he would initiate impeachment proceedings in the State Assembly if Spitzer did not resign."[http://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/spitzer.prostitution.ring.2.673848.html Republicans Set Deadline For Governor's Ousting: 'I've Asked Him To Resign']". WCBS-TV. March 11, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312003917/http://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/spitzer.prostitution.ring.2.673848.html |date=March 12, 2008 }} Spitzer's office and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York declined to comment,
{{cite news
|url =http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/03/10/2008-03-10_gov_spitzer_tied_to_prostitution_ring.html
|title = Gov. Spitzer tied to prostitution ring
|work = Daily News
|location = New York
|date = March 10, 2008
|access-date = March 10, 2008
|first1=Thomas
|last1=Zambito
|first2=Elizabeth
|last2=Benjamin
|first3=Helen
|last3=Kennedy
}}
{{cite news
|url = http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/247-cable-eye-turns-to-new-york/index.html?hp
|title = 24/7 Cable Eye Turns to New York| date=March 10, 2008 }}{{cite news
|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN1035862420080310
|title = NY Assembly Minority leader says Gov should resign
|work = Reuters
|date = March 10, 2008
|access-date = March 10, 2008
| first=Marc
| last=Santora
}}{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gfqKr_IoWbnHxJ0qAJMDT4tQVBrgD8VAR7E80 |title=Spitzer Scandal Reaction |agency=Associated Press |date=March 10, 2008 |access-date=March 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314181141/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gfqKr_IoWbnHxJ0qAJMDT4tQVBrgD8VAR7E80 |archive-date=March 14, 2008 }} except to say that "There is no agreement between this office and Gov. Eliot Spitzer, relating to his resignation or any other matter."{{cite news |title=U.S. Attorney Says There Is No Deal With Spitzer |work=The New York Times |date=March 12, 2008 |url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/us-attorney-says-there-is-no-deal-with-spitzer/ }}
In the wake of the revelations, and amid threats of impeachment, Spitzer announced on March 12, 2008, that he would resign his post as governor at noon on March 17, 2008. Spitzer said at a news conference in Manhattan:
{{blockquote|I cannot allow for my private failings to disrupt the people's work. Over the course of my public life, I have insisted{{emdash}}I believe correctly{{emdash}}that people take responsibility for their conduct. I can and will ask no less of myself. For this reason, I am resigning from the office of governor.{{cite web |url=http://www.amny.com/news/local/wire/politics/ny-bc-ny-spitzer-resignatio0312mar12,0,7214884.story |title=Text of Governor Spitzer's resignation letter |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320201755/http://www.amny.com/news/local/wire/politics/ny-bc-ny-spitzer-resignatio0312mar12,0,7214884.story |archive-date=March 20, 2008 }}}}
Spitzer's lieutenant governor, David Paterson, succeeded him as Governor of New York and served the remaining three years of Spitzer's four-year term.{{cite web|url=http://news.wypr.org/post/why-have-there-been-so-few-black-governors|title=Why Have There Been So Few Black Governors?|first=Maureen|last=Harvie|website=news.wypr.org|date=June 5, 2014}}
Reactions
Spitzer's prostitution scandal became international news.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/capital-living/9134-maffeis-new-flack-im-not-just-a-spitzer-sob-story|title=Maffei's new flack: 'I'm not just a Spitzer sob story'|first=Ashley|last=Perks|date=January 27, 2009|website=The Hill}}{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Mar13/0,4670,SpitzerWife,00.html|title=FOXNews.com - Mrs. Spitzer a Behind-The-Scenes Force - Local News - News Articles - National News - US News|website=www.foxnews.com}}
The real George Fox, who is a close friend and campaign donor of Spitzer, issued a statement denying any connection to the scandal beyond the unauthorized use of his name.{{cite news|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/george-fox-spitzer-supporter-and-alias-issues-statement/|title=George Fox, Spitzer Supporter and Alias, Responds – City Room – Metro – New York Times Blog|publisher=cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com|date=March 11, 2008|access-date=March 17, 2008|last=Chan|first=Sewell}} He said that he was "disappointed and distressed" that Spitzer had used his name as an alias, and confirmed that Spitzer privately apologized to him.Svea Herbst-Bayliss, Reuters, [https://www.reuters.com/article/privateEquity/idUSN1163290420080311 Spitzer's friend Fox upset his name used as alias], Reuters, March 11, 2008.
According to Nell Minow, a corporate-governance expert, Wall Street reaction to the scandal was largely positive, due to a general dislike of Spitzer amongst investment professionals.{{cite news
|url = http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/080311markets.aspx
|title = Stocks soar after Fed acts
|work = MSN Money
|first = Charley
|last = Blaine
|author2 = Strott, Elizabeth
|date = March 11, 2008
|access-date = March 11, 2008
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110307185731/http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/080311markets.aspx
|archive-date = March 7, 2011
|url-status = dead
}} Governor Spitzer made his rise to victory in New York City politics promising "ethics and integrity to be the hallmarks of [his] administration." He had prosecuted several prostitution rings in his career,{{cite news |work=The New York Times |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E1D91438F93BA35757C0A9629C8B63 |title=18 Arrested in Lucrative Prostitution Ring out of Staten Island |last=Rashbaum |first=William K |date=April 8, 2004 |access-date=March 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314160612/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E1D91438F93BA35757C0A9629C8B63 |archive-date=March 14, 2008 |url-status=dead }} and his connection with a prostitution ring was felt as a betrayal by some women's rights and anti-human trafficking groups that had previously worked with him.{{cite news|work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/nyregion/12prostitute.html?ex=1363060800&en=62e2c73b61a86fa8&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |title=Foes of Sex Trade Are Stung by the Fall of an Ally |last=Bernstein |first=Nina |date=March 12, 2008 |access-date=March 15, 2008}}
In an editorial reflecting on the scandal, philosopher Martha Nussbaum wrote "Spitzer's offense was an offense against his family. It was not an offense against the public. If he broke any laws, these are laws that never should have existed and that have been repudiated by sensible nations."Martha Nussbaum, "[http://www.ajc.com/search/content/opinion/2008/03/13/spitzered_0314.html Trading on America's puritanical streak]", The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 14, 2008
In 2011, The Guardian summarized Spitzer's history as follows:
Long before there was Barack Obama there was Spitzer. While Obama toiled unknown in Illinois, the Bronx-born Spitzer won himself a national reputation as the "Sheriff of Wall Street". He was New York's tough-talking attorney-general, who fought banking corruption, enforced environment law and won rights for low-paid workers. He used that fame to enter politics and in 2006 became governor of New York: a perfect springboard for the White House. Before America fell in love with its first black president, people wondered if it was willing to embrace its first Jewish one. Spitzer could have made history.
Instead he left office in disgrace three years ago amid a flood of tabloid headlines that recounted salacious details from his repeated use of a high-end escort service. Spitzer was dubbed the "Luv Guv" and forced into a political wilderness. Rarely in American politics was a fall from grace so spectacular, so complete and so clearly down to a self-inflicted human flaw.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/27/eliot-spitzer-wall-street-fallen-angel|title=Eliot Spitzer: Wall Street's fallen angel|first=Paul|last=Harris|newspaper=The Observer |date=February 27, 2011|via=www.theguardian.com}}
"Kristen"
{{Main|Ashley Alexandra Dupré}}
"Kristen", 22, was an aspiring pop recording artist living in Manhattan whose professional stage name is Ashley Dupré. She was just one of the escorts that Spitzer had liaisons with, but she gained significant media attention following the scandal. After the news broke, she responded that she didn't "want to be thought of as a monster",One report claims 32. {{cite news |title= Eliot Spitzer's 'Kristen' — Actually 32? |work=New York Intelligencer| date=March 14, 2008 |url=https://nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/03/is_eliot_spitzers_kristen_actually_32.html}} and that it had been a "difficult" and "complicated" time for her.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/nyregion/12cnd-kristen.html?ref=nyregion |title=Woman at the Center of Governor's Downfall |date=March 13, 2008 |work=The New York Times |first=Serge F. |last=Kovaleski |author2=Urbina, Ian}}
As a result of the media attention following the scandal, Dupré was offered $1 million by Hustler to pose nude for the magazine, and received unofficial offers from Penthouse, among others.{{Cite web |title=Prostitute In Spitzer Scandal Scores Million Dollar Offer To Bare All |url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/article/8771/prostitute-in-spitzer-scandal-scores-million-dollar-offer-to-bare-all/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315094630/http://www.accesshollywood.com/article/8771/prostitute-in-spitzer-scandal-scores-million-dollar-offer-to-bare-all/ |archive-date=March 15, 2008 |website=Access Hollywood}} She eventually agreed to pose for Playboy in the May 2010 issue.{{cite news |last=Eustachewich |first=Lia |date=April 13, 2010 |title=Ashley Dupre, Eliot Spitzer's former call girl, strips down for Playboy |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/04/13/2010-04-13_ashley_dupre_gov_eliot_spitzers_former_call_girl_bares_it_all_in_8_pages_of_play.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415054823/http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/04/13/2010-04-13_ashley_dupre_gov_eliot_spitzers_former_call_girl_bares_it_all_in_8_pages_of_play.html |archive-date=April 15, 2010 |work=Daily News |location=New York}}
Political impact
Overseas, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster was a high-profile casualty of the scandal when Emperors Club prostitutes alleged that he had been a client. The allegations were followed by Grosvenor stepping down as Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Reserves and Cadets) in the British Ministry of Defence.{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=Sam |title=Gerald Grosvenor, British Duke and Billionaire, Dies at 64 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/16/world/europe/gerald-grosvenor-british-duke-and-billionaire-dies-at-64.html |access-date=September 9, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=August 15, 2016}}
=2013 New York City Comptroller election=
{{Main|2013 New York City Comptroller election}}
Both Spitzer and Kristin M. Davis, another madam caught in the prostitution scandal but unaffiliated with the Emperors Club VIP, ran for New York City Comptroller in 2013. Davis won the Libertarian Party nomination, but later withdrew from the race following a drug arrest.{{cite web |last1=Nelson |first1=Steven |title=Spitzer's Ex-Madam Kristin Davis Slips Out of Comptroller Race |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2013/08/26/spitzers-ex-madam-kristin-davis-slips-out-of-comptroller-race |website=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=November 21, 2021 |date=August 26, 2013}} There was some debate as to whether or not Spitzer's name recognition would help him in the election.{{cite news |last1=Barbaro |first1=Michael |author2=David W. Chen|title=Spitzer Rejoins Politics, Asking for Forgiveness|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/08/nyregion/spitzer-seeks-ballot-for-city-comptrollers-race.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 7, 2013}} Spitzer lost the Democratic primary to Scott Stringer,{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Eliot-Spitzer-Comptroller-New-York-City-Scott-Stringer-Race-Primary-Vote-223100691.html|title=Stringer Defeats Spitzer in Comptroller Primary|first=Jennifer|last=Peltz|website=NBC New York|date=September 10, 2013 }} 52.1–47.9%.{{Cite web | url=https://www.vote.nyc.ny.us/downloads/pdf/results/2013/2013SeptemberPrimaryElection/01013000000Citywide%20Democratic%20City%20Comptroller%20Citywide%20Recap.pdf | title=Statement and Return Report for Certification - Primary Election 2013 - Crossover - Democratic Party | date=2013-09-10 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906183805/https://www.vote.nyc.ny.us/downloads/pdf/results/2013/2013SeptemberPrimaryElection/01013000000Citywide%20Democratic%20City%20Comptroller%20Citywide%20Recap.pdf | archive-date=September 6, 2020 }}
Depictions in media
- The scandal was the subject of Alex Gibney's 2010 documentary Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer. A rough cut of the film was first shown on April 24, 2010, at the Tribeca Film Festival{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100425/ap_en_mo/us_film_tribeca_spitzer_documentary|title=Spitzer documentary premieres at Tribeca Film Fest - Yahoo! News|website=news.yahoo.com}} and the final version was screened at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.
- "Major Boobage", the March 26, 2008 episode of the animated sitcom South Park, parodies the Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal.{{cite web |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2008/03/26/south-park-major-boobage/ |title=South Park: Major Boobage |access-date=March 29, 2008 |last=Trechak |first=Brad |date=March 27, 2008 |work=HuffPost |archive-date=March 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325123227/http://www.aoltv.com/2008/03/26/south-park-major-boobage/ |url-status=dead }}
- The law drama The Good Wife, which premiered in September 2009, was inspired in part by the scandal.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/09/02/2009-09-02_pain_of_eliot_spitzer_scandal_for_exgovernors_wife_silda_recalled_in_new_cbs_sho.html |title=Pain of Eliot Spitzer scandal for ex-governor's wife Silda recalled in new CBS show 'The Good Wife{{'-}}|author=Ridley, Jane |date=September 2, 2009 |location=New York|work=Daily News |access-date=January 21, 2010}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
Further reading
- {{Cite book |last=Paterson |first=David A. |author-link=David Paterson |date=29 September 2020 |title=Black, Blind, & in Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity |title-link=Black, Blind, & in Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity |location=New York |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing |isbn=9781510756335 |oclc=1201201412}}
External links
{{Wikinews|New York governor Spitzer tied to prostitution ring | New York Governor Eliot Spitzer resigns}}
- [http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/nyregion/city_room/20080312_SpitzerLetter.pdf Spitzer's Resignation Letter]
- [http://www.artnet.com/magazineus/news/artnetnews/artnetnews3-13-08.asp Emperor's Contemporary Art]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080409214224/http://www.skeletonsinthecloset.com/2008/03/10/eliot-spitzer-prostitution-emperors-club-vip-escorts-website-pictures/ Emperors Club VIP Escorts Website Pictures]
{{Eliot Spitzer}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spitzer, Eliot, prostitution scandal}}
Category:2008 in American politics
Category:2008 in New York (state)
Category:Political scandals in New York (state)
Category:Prostitution in New York (state)
Category:Sexual fidelity in the United States
Category:State and local political sex scandals in the United States