Seven days. That's how many days had passed since New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer received three standing ovations during a speech in New Albany. Who then would have thought that Spitzer was about to be accused of soliciting sex from prostitutes? Nothing amazes me anymore, but I am sure the citizens of New York are less then pleased with Spitzer's alleged improprieties.
Yesterday, the New York Times identified Spitzer as "Client 9," an individual who was named in a federal indictment filed last week involving the Emperors Club, an alleged prostitution ring that caters to upscale clients. According to the indictment, FBI wiretap recordings captured conversations "Client 9" had with an employee of the Emperors Club, in which "Client 9" made arrangements to meet a prostitute at a Washington hotel last month.
On Feb. 14, the prostitute who allegedly met with "Client 9" called the Emperors Club to let them know how the appointment went.
"I don't think he's difficult. I mean it's just kind of like whatever," Kristen said, according to the indictment. "I'm here for a purpose. I know what my purpose is. I am not a moron. You know what I mean."
The indictment lists the Emperors Club Web site as Emperorsclubvip.com. That site has since been removed from the Internet, but the Google-cached welcome page, dated Feb. 12, reads in part:
"We specialize in marketing fashion models, pageant winners and exquisite students, graduates and women of successful careers (finance, art, media etc…) to leading gentlemen of the world. Catering to clients who will not compromise in any area of their life. We provide our customers and associates with complete discretion and privacy while we guarantee the most exclusively valuable dating and travel companionship. You can be certain that each Emperors Club model introduction experience, while it may be novel for you, will be one of complete enjoyment in every way."
The cached version of a separate page on the site lists "introduction" rates. The fees varied and were based on "individual education, sophistication, and ambiance." Hourly rates ranged from $1,000 to $3,100, and daily rates ranged from $10,000 to $31,000.
In the wake of the allegations against Spitzer, he held a press conference yesterday, in which he apologized to his family and the public but failed to specifically address the allegations or his political future.
"Today I want to briefly address a private matter," Spitzer said. "I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family and violates my sense of right and wrong. I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public, whom I promised better. I do not believe that politics in the long run is about individuals. It is about ideas, the public good and doing what’s best for the state of New York. 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. I will report back to you in short order."
It is interesting to note that last year Spitzer and Lieutenant Governor David Paterson announced an agreement on legislation that "will combat the trafficking of human beings." A press release, dated May 16, 2007, reads in part:
"New York now joins the federal government and 24 other states that have enacted anti-human trafficking legislation. Under the legislation, traffickers who advance or profit from prostitution activity by compelling, inducing, deceiving or forcing their victims into prostitution activity can be convicted of the class B felony of Sex Trafficking. Traffickers who exploit workers using similar types of coercive activity can be convicted of the class D felony of Labor Trafficking."
The press release further quotes Spitzer as saying, "Updating and enhancing our human-trafficking laws to adequately punish the perpetrators of these unspeakable crimes and sufficiently support victims is critically important."
Many lawmakers are calling for Spitzer to resign; however, as of this writing he has not been arrested for his alleged criminal activities. If Spitzer does step down, Paterson would make history by becoming New York's first black governor.