New York ex-governor Spitzer, wife say marriage is over

Reuters

Spitzer divorce: Former New York State Governor and Democratic candidate for New York City Comptroller Spitzer speaks during his Democratic primary election night event in New York.

2 hr ago By Reuters

Five years after he resigned from office, former governor Eliot Spitzer and his wife, Silda, are ending their marriage

Former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer and his wife said on Tuesday they were ending their marriage, local media reported, more than five years after she stood by his side as the embattled Democrat resigned over a prostitution scandal.

Former N.Y. Governor Eliot Spitzer, Wife Announce Split

"We regret that our marital relationship has come to an end, and we have agreed not to make any other public statement on this subject," Spitzer and his wife, Silda, said in a joint statement, according to the New York Post.

They were married in 1987 and have three children.

The split comes after allegations in the tabloid press that Spitzer was in a relationship with a spokeswoman for New York City Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio, the New York Post reported.

Spitzer first won the limelight for his success in aggressively prosecuting financial crimes during two terms as the East Coast state's top attorney, a role that earned him the nickname "Sheriff of Wall Street."

He was elected governor in 2007, but resigned the following year after being identified as a client in a prostitution ring. He was never charged with a crime.

He lost a political comeback campaign for the Democratic nomination for New York City comptroller in September.

He became a television commentator after leaving public office.

A spokeswoman for Spitzer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Reporting by Eric M. Johnson