Spitzer to Step Down as N.Y. Governor

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Spitzer Steps Down

NY Gov. Eliot Spitzer announces his resignation effective March 17.

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Even if Spitzer avoids criminal charges, state legislators may still inquire into what they said are several unanswered questions and possible ethics violations. Those include whether Spitzer used public funds to travel out of the state for meetings with prostitutes under the guise of government business, and whether the state troopers who provide his protection were aware of his trysts.

"If he broke the law, you have to pay the piper," said state Sen. Martin J. Golden (R), a former New York City police officer. He said legislators "will want to see the investigation completed."

Other state lawmakers seemed reluctant to pursue the matter and hoped the affair could be put to rest. "He's suffered enough embarrassment," said Harlem Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright (D).

There are also questions about the identities of the other wealthy clients of the Emperors Club VIP. The criminal complaint unsealed last week made reference to 10 clients without naming them; only Spitzer has been identified as Client 9.

Many here are now wondering: Who are the other clients? It is a guessing game that has echoes of the Washington case of Deborah Jeane Palfrey, called "D.C. Madam," whose extensive client list included Randall L. Tobias, who abruptly resigned as administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, and Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), who has remained in his job.

News outlets are also hunting for other prostitutes who may have had sex with the governor. One, called "Sienna," made that claim in interviews with ABC News and the New York Post.

Spitzer's reputation during his years as attorney general was that of an incorruptible "Mr. Clean," whom tabloids here had dubbed both "Eliot Ness," after the fabled federal agent who brought down Al Capone, and "the Sheriff of Wall Street," for his public crusades against white-collar crime and insider trading. He also led two high-profile prosecutions of prostitution rings.

With Spitzer's background in law enforcement, it was surprising to many that he was tripped up by engaging in suspicious financial transactions to allegedly pay the escort service, which were reported to federal authorities by his bank.

In several hot spots including New York, FBI and Internal Revenue Service agents work alongside prosecutors to review questionable financial transactions to determine whether money laundering, bribery or extortion cases will result.

Guy Singer, a former Justice Department prosecutor who handled public corruption cases, said "it is completely appropriate for the government to pay close attention" not only to elected officials but also to judges and police officers who occupy positions of public trust.

When Spitzer ran for governor he promised to focus on those who abuse the public trust, pledging to root out corruption in Albany and change the state capital's way of doing business.

Echoing the feeling of many in New York and beyond who saw mostly tragedy in Spitzer's rapid and stunning fall, Spitzer said: "I look at my time as governor with a sense of what might have been."

Johnson reported from Washington. Staff writer Susan Schmidt and staff researcher Julie Tate in Washington contributed to this report.