In the Web of a Political Sex Scandal

The latest sex scandal to rock the Capitol has the usual elements -- salacious e-mails and marital infidelity -- but it is also a cautionary tale of take-no-prisoners political warfare, fought in the messy, even lawless, world of the blogosphere.

It began with a few e-mails posted on a western New York Web site, www.politicsny.net, that allegedly documented affairs between Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, D-Buffalo, and women who were described as Capitol interns. The initial blog post came with a threat -- "Everyday we will publish another e-mail if Hoyt has not resigned the race."

Hoyt admitted Tuesday to "breaking my marriage vows," according to The Buffalo News. But he insists that he has broken no laws or the Assembly's rules banning fraternization between lawmakers and interns. The revelation brought quick action from the Assembly Ethics Committee, which launched an investigation less than 24 hours after the story broke.

State records show that the women believed to have been involved were not interns during the alleged romances, according to the News.

At the center of this story is Joseph Illuzzi, the man who posted the e-mails that started the storm.

NY Men Twice as Likely as Gals to Cheat

More than one-quarter of New York men have been unfaithful - double the infidelity rate of Big Apple women, a new report reveals.

A poll conducted for New York magazine showed that 28 percent of Gotham men - who are either married or in a committed relationship - have strayed from their partners, compared to 12 percent of girlfriends and wives.

Women are more afraid of getting caught than men, according to the poll.

NY Governor Eliot Spitzer Named in Federal Prostitution Case

The mysterious 'client number 9' named in a federal indictment involving a prostitution ring is allegedly Governor Eliot Spitzer, who today in a news conference apologized to his wife who accompanied him saying, "I have acted in a way that violates my obligation to my family."

Gov. Spitzer did not resign, though it is widely rumored across the politico field in Manhattan that he will give up his post as New York Governor shortly.