Spitzer: We All Make Mistakes

" People look at you and saying this guy made a massive mistake they're right and had a right. The Shatner Freud in New York on Wall Street when you went down. She it couldn't happen to a nicer -- there were people cheering the song when you went down. And I think that that it -- it struck me for example as is very much reverend Jimmy swaggart moment I mean the guy who gets up on the soap box that says. Don't commit adultery then committed adultery. How -- sent in your mind. That the very people -- she went after prostitution rings the very people he went after you engaged in that very behavior on a global --"

" Well as I I've addressed this and and I said. Before I -- this -- as everyone -- hopefully no more no less. We all make egregious mistakes I've stood up hold myself accountable resigned the position that I worked very hard to get. And others will judge and I have not either. -- What's on the -- they are pursuing my lawyers are all working with -- absolutely if if you come clean it is there anything to hide that it was I -- Acknowledge what I did. And has acted appropriately what we are here to talk about these Wall Street. Whether or not the American public was led down the garden path which had trillions of dollars of the value destroyed. By actually used it could have and should have been avoided and how we have to learn."

" From that -- there are a lot of people feel that you you do have that important positions to weigh in on because of that experience yet it's always somewhat counterbalanced. By that that sentiment that that. Why should we listen to Eliot Spitzer I know you're saying I'm not saying listen to me but but you aren't coming out of their relentless you have to simply a public offices that."

" Not so valuable for repeated before -- had no intention of doing that the -- the issue you raise we've. Discussed over and over the issue now is what has happened before one case why this CEO bonuses not being pursued. Why are we see your bonus is set as they work. Why -- Wall Street as Wall Street so quick to say give back the TARP money so can return to practices without understanding the fundamental flaws in executive compensation competition generally. That that need to be addressed."

" Well you get out there and and drips and drabs that starting tonight I'm sure this will not be your your very last public appearance it sounds like you're you're ready to get out there and and have a voice heard because you feel -- it's somewhat valuable. Vietnamese are still circling the people who feel that you unfairly targeted them. Back then didn't she realize that they were out there -- and and that it was so important to remain squeaky clean particularly forget you know the attorney general but the governor of the state of people."

" Analysts that's that we all have clauses -- you tried to deal with them. What I did when I was pretty journal when I was governor was pursued the public interest as best I could and I think if you ask people. Do they feel that by shedding light on these Wall Street issues among the myriad of issues this was by no means what. The accident exclusive domain in which -- active weather is environmental issues wage related issues for protecting. The civil rights of American citizens around the nation at every level we tried to enforce laws do what was appropriate that we did that was my job. And I was thrilled to have been chosen to do."

" I remember seeing you in a restaurant tonight on the 2002001. -- the people were slapping you on the back and saying go get I'm Elliot and what's it like out there for you now."

" People are people you know there's a good list of people that is remarkable. Other than the media people understand. That we are all. Working hard to do our best feeling have been treated unfairly by the media or fair enough I don't pass judgment what I we'll tell you is that -- People warned they are appreciate that I work or. And put my heart and soul into doing everything I could for them. They may or may not feel that about other elected officials but when it came to the job I did I think that they are very. Happy that I was there taking the incoming missiles you know back when I started these cases it was considered political heresy in New York in particular to stand up. Against Wall Street. And we did it because we believed it was right when I went to other elected officials to say we need your help on this they -- now in retrospect what would you do differently. Live with respect to those cases with respect they'll all that's happened to all of our institutional with the -- live live live don't put that aside because I'm telling you people are ready to all of us I'm I'm not suggesting -- but in terms of your question I'll tell you what I would do differently about Wall Street. I'd be much tougher. We believe. That if we need these cases sequentially in the various areas where we made them that over time. There'd be a fundamental shift in the way. That people don't -- their fiduciary obligation to protect the money of the American investor that didn't happen. I think if fact if anything -- tougher go back to Merrill Lynch case which have been tougher with Merrill. With the other companies all of the major investment banks settled with us in terms of insisting that they separated out. The nature of the research that they were offering the public from their investment banking operations."

" Former New York State governor Eliot Spitzer Eliot Spitzer and I will be of course joining -- the group of about two to 300 people from the entrepreneurs organization we thank you for joining us on Fox Business. I and taken questions we appreciate it very much. Not the gang at happy hour obviously we've got entrepreneurs cheered and mr. Spitzer -- they're very interested in his perspective of small businesses. But also to talk about all that this happened in the past year and a half. And it sounds like he's ready to at least address some of the quest."