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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Scandal-hit NY governor 'sorry' | Scandal-hit NY governor 'sorry' |
| (1 day later) | |
| New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer has apologised amid allegations of involvement in a prostitution ring. | New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer has apologised amid allegations of involvement in a prostitution ring. |
| The married father-of-three said he had acted in a way that violated his obligations to his family. | The married father-of-three said he had acted in a way that violated his obligations to his family. |
| Mr Spitzer, a prominent Democrat who campaigned for ethical leadership, said sorry to his family and the public. | |
| He made no reference to allegations published by The New York Times, which said he had been involved with a high-priced prostitution service. | He made no reference to allegations published by The New York Times, which said he had been involved with a high-priced prostitution service. |
| "I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself," the first-term governor told a packed press conference at his Manhattan office. | "I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself," the first-term governor told a packed press conference at his Manhattan office. |
| "I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family," he added, as his wife of two decades, Silda, stood by his side. | "I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family," he added, as his wife of two decades, Silda, stood by his side. |
| He declined to answer questions as to whether he would resign but said he would report back "in short order". | He declined to answer questions as to whether he would resign but said he would report back "in short order". |
| Exclusive operation | Exclusive operation |
| Last week, four people were arrested in connection with the alleged prostitution ring, the New York Times reported. | Last week, four people were arrested in connection with the alleged prostitution ring, the New York Times reported. |
| He has disgraced his office and the entire state of New York James TediscoRepublican state assembly leader href="/1/hi/world/americas/7289268.stm">Little media sympathy class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7288725.stm">Profile: Eliot Spitzer | |
| As part of the investigation, a federal wire-tap on a Washington hotel last month had recorded Mr Spitzer allegedly arranging to meet a prostitute, the newspaper added. | As part of the investigation, a federal wire-tap on a Washington hotel last month had recorded Mr Spitzer allegedly arranging to meet a prostitute, the newspaper added. |
| Mr Spitzer, 48, had abruptly cancelled Monday afternoon appointments to meet senior advisors about the allegations, the Times reported. | Mr Spitzer, 48, had abruptly cancelled Monday afternoon appointments to meet senior advisors about the allegations, the Times reported. |
| According to court papers, the investigation involves an exclusive prostitution ring called the Emperor's Club VIP, which operated in cities across the US, as well as in London and Paris. | According to court papers, the investigation involves an exclusive prostitution ring called the Emperor's Club VIP, which operated in cities across the US, as well as in London and Paris. |
| More than 50 prostitutes were employed by the ring, charging fees ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,500 an hour, prosecutors said last week. | More than 50 prostitutes were employed by the ring, charging fees ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,500 an hour, prosecutors said last week. |
| The BBC's Matthew Price in New York says things do not look good for Mr Spitzer at the moment. | The BBC's Matthew Price in New York says things do not look good for Mr Spitzer at the moment. |
| Although he has not confirmed that the allegations are true, Mr Spitzer looked deeply uncomfortable as he spoke to the media, our correspondent says. | |
| He will need the help of his many influential connections within the Democratic Party if he is to hope to survive the scandal and make a comeback, our correspondent adds. | He will need the help of his many influential connections within the Democratic Party if he is to hope to survive the scandal and make a comeback, our correspondent adds. |
| Political fallout | Political fallout |
| The Republican minority leader of the New York state assembly, James Tedisco, called for Mr Spitzer to resign "immediately". | The Republican minority leader of the New York state assembly, James Tedisco, called for Mr Spitzer to resign "immediately". |
| "Today's news that Eliot Spitzer was likely involved with a prostitution ring and his refusal to deny it leads to an inescapable conclusion: he has disgraced his office and the entire state of New York," Mr Tedisco said. | "Today's news that Eliot Spitzer was likely involved with a prostitution ring and his refusal to deny it leads to an inescapable conclusion: he has disgraced his office and the entire state of New York," Mr Tedisco said. |
| The Republican Governors' Association also reacted quickly to the allegations, calling for Mr Spitzer to step down. | The Republican Governors' Association also reacted quickly to the allegations, calling for Mr Spitzer to step down. |
| "Eliot Spitzer campaigned on ethics reform; unfortunately the governor of New York has egregiously failed his constituents," said the group's executive director Nick Ayers. | "Eliot Spitzer campaigned on ethics reform; unfortunately the governor of New York has egregiously failed his constituents," said the group's executive director Nick Ayers. |
| "The governor of New York should immediately resign from office and allow the people of New York to pursue honest leadership." | "The governor of New York should immediately resign from office and allow the people of New York to pursue honest leadership." |
| Clinton ally | Clinton ally |
| The scandal could prove embarrassing for New York Senator Hillary Clinton, who is competing with rival Barack Obama to be the Democratic Party's choice to run for president. | The scandal could prove embarrassing for New York Senator Hillary Clinton, who is competing with rival Barack Obama to be the Democratic Party's choice to run for president. |
| Mr Spitzer has promised to support Mrs Clinton's presidential bidA close ally of Mrs Clinton, Mr Spitzer has pledged to support her campaign. | Mr Spitzer has promised to support Mrs Clinton's presidential bidA close ally of Mrs Clinton, Mr Spitzer has pledged to support her campaign. |
| He is one of the 796 super-delegates - party leaders and elected officials - who will vote on which candidate to back at the Democrats' national convention in August. | He is one of the 796 super-delegates - party leaders and elected officials - who will vote on which candidate to back at the Democrats' national convention in August. |
| Mr Spitzer was elected governor in November 2006, promising ethical reform in New York. | Mr Spitzer was elected governor in November 2006, promising ethical reform in New York. |
| As New York's attorney general, he had become known as the Sheriff of Wall Street for his relentless pursuit of financial wrong-doing. | As New York's attorney general, he had become known as the Sheriff of Wall Street for his relentless pursuit of financial wrong-doing. |
| His successes in that battle led Time Magazine to name him "Crusader of the Year" in 2002. | His successes in that battle led Time Magazine to name him "Crusader of the Year" in 2002. |
| Mr Spitzer had also taken a firm line against prostitution in New York. | Mr Spitzer had also taken a firm line against prostitution in New York. |