Cameron Knight | Cincinnati Enquirer

The Enquirer/Meg Vogel

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The Jerry Springer Show is going off the air this fall. The show made the former Cincinnati mayor famous across the country, but what made him famous in Cincinnati is different.

In fact, what made him famous here could have been an episode of his show: "I'm a politician wrapped up in a sex scandal! Help me!"

In 1974, Springer was just a city councilman. In terms of political scandals, how things went down in 1974 with Springer might surprise people used to more modern political firestorms.

It started on April 29, a Monday. Popular political columnist Frank Weikel reported on The Enquirer's front page that a "Cincinnati politico" was involved in a two-state VICE probe. Springer went unnamed, but prostitution was mentioned.

Later that day, "in an abrupt move that shook Cincinnati's political community," Springer resigned. The Enquirer still referred to the then-councilman as Gerald. The 30-year-old had just married a year earlier.

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In his resignation, he cited "very personal family considerations," but did not mention the probe.

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On Tuesday, he held a news conference alluding to the prostitution investigation at a health club in Fort Wright.

He was described as red-eyed and shaken.

"When I resigned yesterday, I did so because I believed then as I believe now that there are some problems which are better faced as a private citizen," Springer said.

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Then, the whole story came out when Springer voluntarily testified in court in Kentucky.

He said his conscience drove him to contact the FBI after he paid for prostitutes with two personal checks in December 1973 and January 1974.

Remember that all happened when Springer was just a councilman. In 1975, Springer made one of the biggest political comebacks in Cincinnnati history winning back his seat on council. His sincere and direct television ads directly addressing the issue were credited for the win.

In 1977, he was chosen to serve one year as mayor, but his political career didn't stop.

In 1982, he unsuccessfully ran for governor of Ohio. Then nearly a decade later The Jerry Springer Show debuted. In 1992, it was purchased by NBC and the rest is history.

Even now, Springer continues to flirt with the electorate.

Last year, Business Insider reported that Ohio Democrats wanted Springer to run for Governor after John Kasich's final term.