Sex Scandal in Politics: NY Governor Spitzer

In today's times politics may as well be entertainment. There have been celebrity faux pas, intense feuds and rivalries, and, most recently, a sex scandal. The scandal involves New York governor Eliot Spitzer.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the governor hired a prostitute in Washington on February 13 and paid her over $4,000. He was discovered by lawyers investigating an international prostitution ring. Spitzer was once the nemesis of Wall Street, having pursued cases against companies involved in price fixing and the 2003 mutual fund scandal.

The 48-year-old governor issued a public apology to his family and the public. He plans to resign, possibly as early as today, ending his political career just 16 months after winning the election for New York governor by a wide margin.

This is a blow to Democrats, as Spitzer was often mentioned as a future Democratic presidential contender. He began his career investigating organized crime, became a fair Attorney General for New York, pursued illegal interactions on Wall Street, and proposed a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in NY. On a more negative note, he was admonished for his involvement in ordering police to follow State Senate majority leader Joseph L. Bruno. Bruno was responsible for overturning his same-sex marriage bill. Spitzer is also under investigation for minor money laundering.

Many Republicans rejoice in the light of this scandal since there have been a series of prominent Republican sex scandals in the last couple years. Spitzer is also an avid supporter of presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton.