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Spitzer Linked to Prostitution Ring with LA Operation

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Why is this man so happy? | Photo via AP

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who rode into office on the high horse of morality after years of spearing Wall Street robber barrons as the attorney general, has been linked to a prostitiution ring that has operated in Los Angeles.

According to the New York Times, Spitzer, who is married and has three kids, was nabbed after a federal wiretap showed he tried to arrange a meeting with a prostitute in Washington, D.C.

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The wiretap recording, made during an investigation of a prostitution ring called Emperors Club VIP, captured a man identified as Client 9 on a telephone call confirming plans to have a woman travel from New York to Washington, where he had reserved a room. The person briefed on the case identified Mr. Spitzer as Client 9.

Last week, a man and three women were popped for running the worldwide ring for the wealthy, which also has operations in Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Miami, London and Paris.

According to Fox News, Spitzer will now step down after having been indicted.

Update: Spitzer is staying put for now.

He made a statement, which our mothershrip Gothamistcaught:

Spitzer's statement to the press was very brief. He said he disappointed his family and his public - and violated their trust and expectations. He did not mention prostitution at all.."I must now spend some time regaining the trust of my family," and would "report back" in short order.

Check Gothamist for updates throughout the day.

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