Sex Scandal Forces New York Governor's Swift Resignation

Earlier this week New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was forced to resign amidst compelling reports of his involvement in an alleged prostitute ring. The reports listed a "client number 9," who sought the services of "kristen," whose real identity became public via her my space page & subsequent local news stories. According to some reports, Spitzer paid up to $80,000 over the course of several months for her services.

Spitzer, accompanied by his somber wife, gave a brief press conference apologizing for not living up to the people's expectations, the expectations of himself & the expectations of his office, yet he did not address the salacious charges, some of which could find him behind bars for behavior he attacked, condemned & prosecuted as attorney general four short years ago. Within less than a week, Lt. Governor David Paterson will become the first African-American Governor in the history of New York State.

Although Spitzer stated this was a public matter, many people find these allegations hypocritical for a man who made his reputation as a ruthless, often unapologetic champion of punishing illegal & illicit criminal conduct. Watching television coverage of this story has been interesting in that people believe he deserves to be treated as any other person accused of breaking the law, regardless of his power, privilege & pain.

Next Monday morning Paterson will secure his historic transition in a most unlikely, yet rewarding manner. The legally-blind 53 year-old has a calm, charming & conciliatory nature many people find refreshing in political circles. His three decades of public service is characterized by decency, humility & integrity. Some reports suggested there was dissension between Spitzer & Paterson, implying Spitzer's downfall is welcomed by Paterson, yet he has demonstrated empathy for Spitzer & his family during this difficult time.

More will be revealed as it relates to this sad & shocking story. So many questions have gone unanswered by Spitzer. Will Spitzer successfully plea bargain? Will he serve time for more than ten separate charges, some of which involve different area codes? Will he be pardoned by the next President of the United States? Will his wife stay or leave? You can learn a lot about a person when they experience stress, face adversity & lose something they care about. It seems the old saying is really true: politics makes strange bedfellows.