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Consumer Activists Mourn Spitzer's Downfall

As attorney general, Spitzer fought hard for consumer interests

By Truman Lewis and Joseph S. Enoch
ConsumerAffairs.com

March 12, 2008
Consumer advocates are expressing sorrow over the scandal-driven resignation of New York Governor and former Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

"We are heartbroken because Elliot Spitzer is a hero in the consumer community," said Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League. "He was a staunch supporter of consumer protection. He was a very aggressive pro-consumer Attorney General."

"This is a sad day for those of us in the consumer world," Greenberg said.

Travis Plunkett, legislative director at Consumer Federation of America said Spitzer "was seen as one of the nation's preeminent consumer advocates and his achievements will stand."

"He forced Federal agencies to change the way they operate," Plunkett said. "There are very few Attorneys General who had the impact that he did in such a short time. He will continue to have an impact.

Spitzer resigned this morning after the stunning revelation that he had been involved in a high-end prostitution ring.

As attorney general, Spitzer was an outspoken champion of consumers and took a hard line with companies large and small that had ridden roughshod over consumer interests.

But his accomplishments as attorney general cut no ice with New Yorkers. A poll found that 49% of New Yorkers said Spitzer should face criminal charges and pundits quickly turned against him.

"It is as if Ken Starr had been caught with an intern," said Newsday columnist Dan Janison.

Spitzer continued to press for consumer legislation even after becoming governor. In August 2007, he signed legislation creating the Airline Bill of Rights, a first-in-the-nation law that requires carriers to provide passengers with food, water, fresh air, power, and working restrooms on any flight on which passengers have boarded the plane and the flight has been delayed for more than three hours.

As attorney general, Spitzer -- who in person is brash, aggressive and, many say, ill-mannered -- caused panic in executive suites throughout New York as he ruthlessly "followed the money" to nail executives for misdeeds great and small.

On at least one occasion, Spitzer lashed out at call-girl rings, even denouncing the "johns" that kept them in business and inveighing against the use of sophisticated business technology to operate the world's oldest business.

It's thus ironic that it was Spitzer himself who used text messages, phones and money transfers to arrange his trysts with call girls, alerting bank employees who in turn reported the suspicious pattern of behavior to investigators.

Past glories

Among Spitzer's more celebrated consumer protection cases:

H&R Block Threatened Employees, Spitzer Charges

... H&R Block Threatened Employees, Spitzer Charges. May 9, 2006 ...

Spitzer: Drop That Gun

... Spitzer: Drop That Gun. ... "Realistic-looking toy guns pose a threat to the law enforcement community and to the general public," Spitzer said. ...

Spitzer Spoils Bank of America's Party

... Spitzer Spoils Bank of America's Party. ... The agreement was negotiated jointly by Spitzer's office and the Securities and Exchange Commission. ...

Spitzer Wins Cramming Concessions from Verizon

... Spitzer Wins Cramming Concessions from Verizon. April 5, 2005 ... "Verizon has an obligation to protect its subscribers from fraud," Spitzer said. ...

Spitzer Sues Guidant for Hiding Defibrillator Defect

... Spitzer Sues Guidant for Hiding Defibrillator Defect. November 4, 2005 New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has filed a lawsuit ...

Yahoo To Clean Up Telemarketing Policies

... New York's Eliot Spitzer opened the investigation last year after Yahoo told registered users in March 2002 that it was changing its marketing policies. ...

Sears Must Refund NY Battery Overcharges

... will pay $105,000 to 50,000 New York residents who were overcharged when they bought new car batteries, state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer announced. ...

Countrywide to Combat Ethnic Disparities in Mortgages

... The inquiry was opened by the office of Attorney General Eliot Spitzer last year after a review of federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act ("HMDA") data showing ...

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