Spitzer Apologizes in Prostitution Probe

New York — Gov. Eliot Spitzer, known throughout the insurance industry for his tireless and tough ethics reform, made a formal statement that clarifies his involvement with a prostitution ring, reported The New York Times today.

The New York Times reports that after meeting with his top aides earlier today, and cancelling all public events, he made a brief statement to the press describing the matter as “private.”

“I have acted in a way that violates my obligation to my family and violates my or any sense of right or wrong,” Spitzer was quoted as saying at his Manhattan office during the appearance with his wife Silda. “I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public to whom I promised better.”

The Times reports that an affidavit obtained in the federal investigation into a prostitution ring brought to light Spitzer’s involvement, noting that a wiretap recording identified a man—known as Client 9—on a telephone call confirming plans to meet a woman in Washington where he had reserved a hotel room. In the affidavit, Spitzer was identified as “Client 9.”

Spitzer was actively involved in the insurance space during his tenure as attorney general, during which time allegations of fraud were leveled against the likes of Aon, AIG, ACE, Marsh and other brokers and insurers.

Spitzer, a first-term Democrat, had a rocky first year in office, riddled with infighting and accusations of his aides’ involvement in an attempt to slander New York’s top Republican, Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.

Sources: The New York Times, Reuters

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