Spitzer Attorney: Woman Had 'Emotional Difficulties'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The woman who accused former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer of pushing and choking her at a Midtown hotel has left the country.
CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reports the Russian woman left the U.S. Sunday night following the alleged incident.
A spokesperson for Spitzer is denying assault allegations by a woman who claims Spitzer choked her at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan.
Crime scene investigators were seen parked across the street from the luxury hotel Sunday night as detectives worked inside after allegations from a woman in her 20s that Spitzer physically assaulted her, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported.
The woman told police Spitzer was her boyfriend. Sources told CBS2 that the alleged altercation between the couple of two years began Saturday night because she was planning to return to her native Russia.
The woman claims the verbal argument then turned violent, with Spitzer allegedly pushing her and then putting his hands around her neck.
Spitzer's attorney, Adam Kaufmann, told The Associated Press the woman was dealing with "emotional difficulties."
Kaufmann said the allegations concerned a woman Spitzer has known "for a period of time.'' He said she phoned him from California where she had been living to say she was returning to her native Russia via New York. The two agreed to meet at The Plaza Hotel mid-afternoon Saturday.
"And they had a brief and amicable conversation, and then Mr. Spitzer left,'' Kaufmann said in a statement. But she called a few hours later and asked that he return to the room, where she had become "highly emotional and was threatening self- harm,'' he said.
Kaufmann confirmed she'd placed the calls. "She was distraught and Mr. Spitzer sought to keep her calm,'' he said.
"Unsolicited, she has indicated that any allegations of assault were false,'' Kaufmann said, adding it was unfortunate that the woman's "emotional difficulties'' had been made public. "Mr. Spitzer acted appropriately at all times during this incident. He has been and intends to remain fully cooperative in the event there is any further inquiry by relevant authorities.''
Lisa Linden, a spokesperson for the former governor, issued a brief statement saying only: "There is no truth to the allegation."
Spitzer released a statement saying the woman was not his girlfriend.
"The woman who initially made the allegation was not my girlfriend. Lis Smith was my girlfriend, and I had and have deep affection for Lis," Spitzer said, referencing his ex-girlfriend he dated for two years.
Police told CBS2 they planned to speak to Spitzer or his attorney Monday. He isn't facing any charges at this time.
At Spitzer's East Side apartment building Monday morning, the doorman refused to acknowledge the former governor even lives there.
Sources said the woman was taken to Mount Sinai West Hospital after attempting to cut her wrists.
The woman is no longer cooperating with police, sources said. The woman did not press charges, WCBS 880's Sean Adams reported.
Police are investigating witnesses and reviewing video in the area, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.
In 2008, Spitzer resigned as governor after being involved in a prostitution scandal. He was nicknamed "Client #9" after being caught in the high-end prostitution service.
He and his wife, Silda, divorced in 2014.
Spitzer tried to make a political comeback in 2013, but lost in the Democratic primary for New York City comptroller.
