Eliot Spitzer ascended to the governorship of New York in 2007, winning the election by the largest margin recorded in the state's history. His career began in the private legal sector before he transitioned into public service as a prosecutor, eventually establishing a reputation for aggressive oversight of financial and corporate entities during his tenure as attorney general.
Early Development and Education
Born in 1959 in the Bronx, New York City, Spitzer grew up in the Riverdale area. He attended the Horace Mann School, graduating in 1977. His undergraduate studies took place at Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts from the School of Public and International Affairs in 1981. He later attended Harvard Law School, where he earned a Juris Doctor degree and served on the Harvard Law Review.
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After a brief period in private practice and a clerkship for Judge Robert W. Sweet, Spitzer joined the Manhattan District Attorney's office under Robert Morgenthau. Between 1986 and 1992, he specialized in labor-racketeering cases. His most notable investigation involved the Gambino crime family, where he successfully employed antitrust charges to dismantle their control over the city's garment and trucking sectors, securing significant fines and plea agreements.
Attorney General of New York
Spitzer secured the office of New York Attorney General in 1998 by defeating incumbent Dennis Vacco by a narrow margin. Serving from 1999 until 2006, he gained public attention for his efforts to address corruption within the financial services industry, a role that earned him the moniker 'Sheriff of Wall Street'. The Financial Times recognized his efforts by naming him their Person of the Year in 2004.
Gubernatorial Term and Resignation
Sworn in as the 54th governor of New York in 2007, Spitzer's administration was short-lived. In March 2008, he resigned from office following the revelation that he had engaged with a prostitution ring. His successor, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson, completed the remainder of his term. Following his departure from state government, Spitzer pursued interests in real estate investment, television hosting, and academic instruction at the City College of New York.
Fast facts
- Born: 1959, New York City
- Education: Princeton University and Harvard Law School
- Attorney General of New York: 1999-2006
- Governor of New York: 2007-2008
- Award: Financial Times Person of the Year (2004)
- Political Party: Democratic
Questions readers ask
What was Spitzer's role in the Gambino crime family investigation?
As a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney's office, he led the 1992 investigation that used antitrust laws to break the family's hold on the local garment and trucking industries.
Why did Eliot Spitzer resign as governor?
He resigned in 2008 after it was discovered he had patronized a prostitution ring.
Achievements
- Educated at Harvard Law School, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and Princeton University
- Worked as lawyer, politician and jurist
