Ex-New York Gov. Spitzer Will Not Face Sex Ring Charges

U.S. prosecutors in New York said Thursday they would not seek criminal charges against former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer for his involvement in a prostitution ring that led to his resignation.

Spitzer, who stepped down in March amid a scandal over a $1,000-an-hour prostitute, acknowledged his participation in the sex ring for the first time in a separate statement.

“In light of the policy of the Department of Justice with respect to prostitution offenses and the longstanding practice of this Office, as well as Mr. Spitzer’s acceptance of responsibility for his conduct, we have concluded that the public interest would not be further advanced by filing criminal charges in this matter,” U.S. Attorney in Manhattan Michael Garcia said in a statement.

Spitzer said, “I appreciate the impartiality and thoroughness of the investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and I acknowledge and accept responsibility for the conduct it disclosed.

“I once again apologize for my actions, and for the pain and disappointment those actions caused my family and the many people who supported me during my career in public life,” he said.

Garcia said in his statement that Spitzer, on multiple occasions, arranged for women to travel from one state to another state to engage in prostitution.

After “a thorough investigation,” Garcia said his office had uncovered no evidence of misuse of public or campaign funds, and insufficient evidence to bring charges against Spitzer for any offense relating to the withdrawal of funds for payments to the sex ring known as the Emperors Club.

(Reporting by Martha Graybow, editing by Leslie Gevirtz)