Eliot Spitzer sex scandal sizzles

NEW YORK – The identity of the high-priced prostitute at the centre of the Eliot Spitzer sex scandal emerged yesterday after the embattled crime-busting New York state governor declared that he would resign.

The brunette – identified in federal court papers as “Kristen,” a call girl for the Emperors Club VIP agency – was revealed to be Ashley Alexandra Dupre, 22, the New York Times reported. “I just don’t want to be thought of as a monster,” Dupre, an aspiring R&B singer from a broken home in New Jersey, was quoted as telling the newspaper.”This has been a very difficult time.It is complicated.”In a stunning fall from grace, Spitzer, 48, announced on Wednesday he would resign effective March 17 amid revelations that he had arranged through a prostitution ring to meet an escort on February 13 at a Washington hotel.Spitzer is to formally hand over on Monday to Lieutenant Governor David Paterson, 53, who will become the state’s first black governor and the first blind governor in US history.His resignation came as more details emerged of his use of prostitutes, with the New York Post saying he had spent up to 80 000 dollars (about N$624 000) on call girls going back 10 years to his time as New York state attorney general.Nampa-AFP”I just don’t want to be thought of as a monster,” Dupre, an aspiring R&B singer from a broken home in New Jersey, was quoted as telling the newspaper.”This has been a very difficult time.It is complicated.”In a stunning fall from grace, Spitzer, 48, announced on Wednesday he would resign effective March 17 amid revelations that he had arranged through a prostitution ring to meet an escort on February 13 at a Washington hotel.Spitzer is to formally hand over on Monday to Lieutenant Governor David Paterson, 53, who will become the state’s first black governor and the first blind governor in US history.His resignation came as more details emerged of his use of prostitutes, with the New York Post saying he had spent up to 80 000 dollars (about N$624 000) on call girls going back 10 years to his time as New York state attorney general.Nampa-AFP