Spitzer Lawyers Up, Resignation May Come Tuesday

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 09:30:08 PM EST
Tags: Eliot Spitzer (all tags)

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WCBS TV (New York) reports that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has lawyered up. He's retained the New York law firm, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind Wharton & Garrison. It also reports Spitzer is expected to resign Tuesday.

Question: Can we expect an appearance by Libby Lawyer Ted Wells, partner at Paul Weiss?

The New York Times in an editorial for tomorrow, explains why it's different for Spitzer than for others:

Mr. Spitzer’s own record of prosecuting such cases gives him scant breathing room. As state attorney general, he prosecuted prostitution rings with enthusiasm — pointing out that they are often involved in human trafficking, drug trafficking and money laundering. In 2004, on Staten Island, Mr. Spitzer was vehement in his outrage over 16 people arrested in a high-end prostitution ring.

If Spitzer resigns, New York's Lt. Governor David Patterson will take his place.

As for possible criminal charges, my latest post on the ABC report that he is being investigated for structuring financial transactions is here.

Update: Here's the press release (pdf) the U.S. Attorney's office sent out when filing the case against the Emporer's Club defendants.

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Spitzer Lawyers Up, Resignation May Come Tuesday | 33 comments (33 topical)

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The media is portraying this as though (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by kenosharick on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 09:40:08 PM EST

Spitzer RAN the ring, rather than merely being a client. Why was REPUBLICAN Sen. Vitter celebrated as a hero-stud for this very crime, while DEMOCRAT Spitzer is being crucified. As usual repubs get away with things Dems are not allowed to do- media/political double standard.

: I agree with you (none / 0) (#12)
by standingup on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:19:40 PM EST

and would like to see the Republican party take a little more interest in holding their politicians responsible too. Think of the difference it might make for our nation if we all expected better of our elected officials. It is a sad day for all.

Set-up... (5.00 / 4) (#3)
by p lukasiak on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 09:41:08 PM EST

Does anyone else smell a rat here?

I mean, why were they investigating Spitzer's finances in the first place? Yeah, supposedly a bank reported his money tranfers...

: Tamminy Hall (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by squeaky on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 09:43:01 PM EST

Bruno plays Tweed?

David Patterson (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by lentinel on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:17:13 PM EST

I have been very impressed with David Patterson for years.
He is eloquent and honest. He speaks from the heart.

I would be delighted if he were to be the new Governor of New York.

He is a true progressive.

I recall his. . . (none / 0) (#14)
by LarryInNYC on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:23:09 PM EST

going seriously of the reservation over some issue at the time of the election, but I don't know what.

Also, I believe it's Paterson.


Are you wondering (none / 0) (#19)
by Iphie on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:35:07 PM EST

about Spitzer going off the reservation or Paterson? If you're talking about Spitzer, then yes, it was about Paterson -- specifically, choosing Paterson to be his running mate. Spitzer made the choice very early, while there were still others running for the position. It seemed to have come out of nowhere, and many political operatives felt that they should have been included in the decision making process. To give you an idea of how much of a surprise it was, Paterson's own father had already endorsed someone else for lt. governor.


No. . . (none / 0) (#20)
by LarryInNYC on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:36:26 PM EST

it was Paterson who, I think, speculated about some very non-Democratic policy in public. I'm sorry, it's a vague recollection, and I don't have time now to track it down.


Iphie, great comments today (none / 0) (#21)
by Jeralyn on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 10:37:27 PM EST

you really have a pulse on the NY angle, thanks so much.


: Thank you. (none / 0) (#23)
by Iphie on Mon Mar 10, 2008 at 11:06:29 PM EST

I really appreciate this site.

See the New York Observer, 2/13/06 (none / 0) (#22)
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