Eliot Spitzer, candidate for New York City’s comptroller seat, is currently the odds on favorite to win the primary and perhaps run away with the general election. It’s quite a turnaround for the former governor of New York, who was forced out of office in March of 2008 after revelations came to light he was having sexual relations with a call girl.
According to Peter Elkind’s 2010 book Client 9, Spitzer discovered he lost his federal security clearance immediately following his resignation from office, as he sat with his family in his New York City apartment:
Hirshman went downtown to the U.S. attorney’s office to find out more about the evidence against Spitzer, exploring whether the feds would drop their investigation of Spitzer if he resigned. (They wouldn’t–though it was clear that would reduce the chance he’d face charges.) Meanwhile, Spitzer’s entire family–including his father–still wanted him to stand and fight. In the midst of all this, Mike Balboni called to deliver the message that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had revoked the governor’s national security clearance.
If elected comptroller of New York City, Spitzer will not need any national security clearances, Balboni told Breitbart News. However, the New York State Republican Committee notes that the next comptroller will be in charge of $140 billion in pension funds.
“Because of Spitzer’s use of prostitutes, his clear violation of the Mann Act, and the attempted wire fraud — it was clear to authorities that he was susceptible to blackmail. Accordingly, the Department of Homeland Security revoked his National security clearance while he was still the sitting Governor of New York,” said Michael Lawler, Executive Director of the New York State Republican Party.
Lawler added, “In order for the Government to function properly, it is imperative that our elected officials not be susceptible to undue influence or pressure — especially in an office like New York City Comptroller, where they manage in excess of $140 billion in pension funds.”
Spitzer says he plans on becoming an “activist” as comptroller of New York. He held a similar stance as governor when he abused the state’s Martin Act upon New York businesses by accusing companies of wrong-doing without any probable cause or a grand jury’s permission.The Republican Party in New York claims Spitzer should have to answer why the residents of New York should trust him now.
“The question that Eliot Spitzer must answer is how can the people of New York City trust that he is no longer susceptible to blackmail or undue influence because of his admitted use of prostitutes?” Lawler said. “If the Federal Government had enough concern that they revoked his national security clearance, the people of New York City should be concerned for the integrity and security of the Comptroller’s Office.”
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