New York Gov. Spitzer tied to prostitution

Democratic New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer was recorded by federal agents arranging to purchase sex from a prostitution ring, according to a report by the New York Times.

Spitzer allegedly arranged to have a prostitute flown from New York City to Washington, D.C.  Spitzer was scheduled to testify before Congress the following day.

Spitzer could face serious repercussions from the act; if charged, Spitzer could face federal charges under the Mann Act, which outlaws transporting people between states for the purposes of prostitution.

In a brief statement, Spitzer did not indicate that he would resign, nor whether he could be indicted, but he admitted that “I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family,” and said his conduct “violates my, or any, sense of right and wrong.”

The revelations could do serious damage to the career of Spitzer, 47, who came to prominence as a reform-minded state Attorney General. Spitzer had been touted by some as a potential future presidential candidate or cabinet secretary. Whether he will finish the week as governor is now an open question.