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Spitzer: 'What I Did Was Egregious'

Former guv has tried to address his 'gremlins'

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 6, 2009 9:41 AM CDT

(Newser) – Former New York governor Eliot Spitzer opened up about his “egregious” call-girl dalliance and subsequent resignation on NBC's Today this morning. Spitzer, who also discussed his re-emergence as a Slate columnist, claimed that he didn’t hire prostitutes frequently—“not long in the grand context of my life”—but did not make excuses for his behavior.

“Like most of us, I suppose, I’ve had flaws. I’ve tried to think about it deeply, address it. There are no excuses. I have tried to address these gremlins; confront them. What I did was an egregious violation of trust to my family, to my colleagues, to the state, and I’ve paid a price and appropriately so,” Spitzer said. “I’m a very fortunate guy. I have a spectacular wife, three daughters who are wonderful. I’ve been forgiven.”

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New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer announces his resignation as his wife Silda Wall Spitzer stands next to him March 12, 2008. (Getty Images)

Then-New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer arrives for church in this Jan. 1, 2007 file photo. From left are, daughter Jenna; wife Silda Wall Spitzer; and daughters Elyssa and Sarabeth. (AP Photo/Tim Roske, File)

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer speaks during a news conference in Albany, N.Y., in this Dec. 12, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

In this March 10, 2008 file photo, New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer is joined by his wife Silda as he makes a statement to reporters during a news conference in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, file)

In this March 12, 2008, file photo, Eliot Spitzer announces his resignation as New York governor. (AP Photo)

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Spitzer: 'What I Did Was Egregious'