As if we needed it.

One common punishment for "johns" is to publish their names in the newspaper with their photos.

So besides escaping a nominal fine (which would be no punishment for the wealthy Spitzer), you can't say Spitzer hasn't already received FAR more punishment than the typical guy guilty of solicitation.

Dear Philip:

I think we all know by now; this isn't a fair or even playing field we are on with the judicial system. If you’re famous, rich, or both; then you get a free pass and collect $200 on your way to buying Boardwalk and Park Place. I guess real life is produced by Milton/Bradley in an ironic twist of fate for each of us so called common folk.

Yours Truly,
Stan

The conspiracy theorists speculated that Spitzer got in trouble because he was making progress concerning investigations into - get this - bad banking practices. Similar to Grassley going after Big Pharma. I googled the topic to support Part A of this conspiracy theory. If you are interested, just a tip of the iceberg can be foound here, a CNN article from 2005, with Spitzer investigating big names such as: Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo.
http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/19/news/economy/preda
tory_lending/index.htm

Well, it turns out that Spitzer was right, the banking system was totally off-track/corrupt, and the banking system has practically collapsed. This fall 2008(pun intended) shows Spitzer is vindicated. Banks were plating fast and loose with money, and it has hurt us all.

The major media should have paid attention to what he was doing on the job as well as off the job. Let's see..run the story about corruption and the imminent failure of the banking system, or the story about the prostitute...Hmmm.

So, that is Part A of the conspiracy theory. Pretty much is truth. Now - Part B did he get pwned / disgraced in order to get him out of the way so the corrupt politicians and their cronies in the banking system could rob us blind before the whole house of cards collapsed? DK. This looks like a job for an enterprising journalist...