Spitzer's resignation followed revelations Monday -- based on federal wiretaps -- that he spent thousands of dollars for a prostitute known as Kristen on Feb. 13 at a hotel in Washington, D.C. By some accounts, Spitzer may have spent $80,000 during numerous liaisons with employees of the Emperors' Club VIP call-girl service.
The Emperors' Club catered to wealthy men seeking beautiful young female consorts in New York, Washington, Miami, London, Paris and Los Angeles. A federal wiretap captured a man identified as "Client 9" -- a regular customer of the Emperors' Club -- arranging a date with a petite brunet, an FBI affidavit said. Spitzer was Client 9, federal law enforcement officials have said.
In Albany, things came to a standstill Wednesday as legislators watched Spitzer's resignation on TV.
Assemblyman Richard L. Brodsky, a Westchester County Democrat, said he looked forward to Paterson taking the job. He anticipated that Paterson would move Albany away from the confrontational rhetoric that Spitzer had introduced.
"He impoverished the debate," said Brodsky of Spitzer, adding that the resignation gave legislators an opportunity to reestablish a more civil discourse. "In the long run, that's as important as policy."
As for Spitzer's future, it is unclear whether he will face charges stemming from the scandal. In his remarks Wednesday, he acknowledged that his political career had been derailed:
"As I leave public life, I will first do what I need to do to help and heal myself and my family. Then I will try once again, outside of politics, to serve the common good."
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erika.hayasaki@latimes.com
Times staff writer Louise Roug contributed to this report.
