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By now, anyone who watches the news or reads a newspaper knows of the rise and fall of former New York State Governor Elliot Spitzer and his fall from political grace. The allegation was that Mr. Spitzer had paid an escort service approximately $80,000 for the services of hookers over a period of time while conversely prosecuting people involved in prostitution rings and being hailed as crusader for legal ethics.

The payments were made way of wire transfers to an account established by the Empire Club VIP and entitled, "QAT." Because Mr. Spitzer is an elected official, the wire transfer activity was "red flagged" by a computer program as "suspicious." Ironically, while Mr. Spitzer served as Attorney General, this computer program was one he had insisted be installed in New York banks to detect unusual financial activity. The theory was that it would make it easier to root out corruption and terrorist activity. Pursuant to the federal Bank Security Act, Mr. Spitzer's red flagged wire transfer activity was reported to the I.R.S. and subsequent wire taps conducted by the F.B.I. revealed he had arranged a tryst with a hooker named, "Kristen" the day before valentine's day 2008 at a posh Washington, D.C. hotel for $4300.00.

After the revelation, he took a few days to decide whether to resign while the majority of his colleagues, and this attorney, were hoping he would apply the Nike principle, "Just Do It," and resign.

The miasma of Mr. Spitzer's involvement in a criminal enterprise that, literally, served clients - including "Client No. 9," as Mr. Spitzer was known - coast-to-coast sickened New Yorkers, attorneys, and colleagues. It also struck a deep blow to the general public already questioning the ethics and behavior of many attorneys. His reputation had been seen only as stellar, unblemished; while he was known to wield his tongue like a rapier against criminals he had prosecuted.

But Mr. Spitzer was also widely reported to have a professional dark side when someone crossed him. He was known to lay enemies, political opponents, and staffers low; and seemed to enjoy humiliating people. He swore at them and belittled them in a most unprofessional manner behind closed doors in his office in Albany.

During their careers, prosecutors are offered gifts and money; but the thought of taking these things usually never occurs to them. I should know, it happened to me while I was a prosecutor in Newark, New Jersey. The theory is that when you are an attorney, you take an

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