By Herald Staff
According to a variety of reports, Spitzer-s troubles began after a bank reported to the Internal Revenue Service that significant amounts of money were being transferred from a bank account, later found to be linked to Spitzer. This initially led agents to believe the governor was involved in a money laundering scheme, but eventually they found links to a company called QAT, which, prosecutors said, was a prostitution operation run under the name of the Emperors Club.
Federal, state and local officials expressed their disappointment at the allegations against the governor, who built his reputation as an anti-corruption crusader during eight years as the state-s attorney general. I am shocked at the allegations, like all New Yorkers, said U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, through her chief of staff, Rob Recklaus. I cannot speculate on [Spitzer-s] future now without knowing all of the facts.
On Monday, Spitzer made a brief public statement, apologizing to his family and his constituents whom I promised better, he said. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family.
It-s obviously a sad day for the governor and his family, said Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony Santino. It-s a sad moment in the history of the state. He set himself up as the paragon of civic virtue, but down deep he was apparently a very flawed person. This does a disservice to the entire political process.
Tom Dunham, a spokesman for Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), said, Senator Skelos feels badly for the governor-s family. This is clearly a personal tragedy, however, there are numerous allegations of serious crimes that the governor committed. Right now, we are waiting for the legal process to play out, and for the governor-s decision about his own future.
Assemblyman Bob Barra (R-Lynbrook) said, I am very sad for the governor-s wife and three daughters. The matter is now in the hands of the federal authorities, and we will have to wait and see how this whole situation develops.
Jean Brett Leach, co-president of the RVC Democratic Club, issued a statement on the club-s behalf: We are stunned and disappointed by Mr. Spitzer-s actions, which are incongruous with the image he has put forth to the public.
And Dr. William Johnson, Rockville Centre schools superintendent, who has been outspoken on the subject of Spitzer-s proposed budget cuts in the state-s school aid to Long Island, said, I feel awful for his family. And I think we all feel a sense of embarrassment. With all that being said, I think we-ll have to do a wait-and-see to find out if he stays and whether he will be able to govern, and if he doesn-t, what impact this will have on the policies that were clearly directed at hurting Long Island, so hopefully we can reverse that.
Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, who lost to Spitzer in the Democratic primary battle for the party-s gubernatorial nomination in 2006, had no comment, and had issued no statement on the scandal as of press time Tuesday.
Others were taking the long view on the governor-s situation. Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove), the presiding officer of the Democratic caucus in the Nassau County Legislature, said, Like most New Yorkers, I am shocked and saddened by these events. I think we should wait for all the facts to come out before offering specific comments.
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