Spitzer resigns amid sex scandal

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned on Wednesday amid a scandal over a $1,000-an-hour (495 pounds) prostitute, cutting short a career built on pugnacious investigations of Wall Street crimes and an image of moral rectitude.

Lt. Gov. David Paterson will replace him next Monday, Spitzer announced in a statement that dwelt on his remorse for "private failings."

Spitzer, a Democrat, had faced intense pressure to resign and impeachment threats from Republicans since the New York Times reported on Monday that he was caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet with a prostitute.

Spitzer, 48 and married with three children, is a former New York state chief prosecutor who rose to prominence by investigating financial crime with a vigour that earned him the nickname Sheriff of Wall Street.

He also broke up prostitution rings as attorney general.

Amid speculation that Spitzer was attempting to reach a plea deal with federal investigators to avoid or reduce any criminal liability, a federal prosecutor said no such pact had been reached.

"There is no agreement between this office and Gov. Eliot Spitzer, relating to his resignation or any other matter," Michael Garcia, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement.

Garcia's office is investigating the prostitution ring that Spitzer reportedly used the services of.

"In the past few days I have begun to atone for my private failings with my wife Silda, my children and my entire family. The remorse I feel will always be with me. ... I am deeply sorry that I did not live up to what was expected of me," said Spitzer, speaking with his wife at his side.

Spitzer made no specific reference to the allegations surrounding him.

SHUTTERED AT HOME

Spitzer had apologized to his family and the public on Monday for what he called a "private matter," but gave no details of what he was apologizing for and then shuttered himself in his New York City apartment for two days.

Some 70 percent of New York voters wanted Spitzer to quit, according to a WNBC/Marist poll conducted on Tuesday.

Spitzer, who attracted wide publicity but also resentment on Wall Street with his pursuit of financial crimes while he was the state's attorney general, became governor with nearly 70 percent of the vote in November 2006 on pledges to clean up state politics.

The Times, citing unnamed law enforcement officials, reported on Monday that Spitzer was the man identified as "Client 9" in a federal affidavit revealing details from an investigation into a prostitution ring.

Client 9 arranged to meet with "Kristen," a prostitute who charged $1,000 an hour, on February 13 in a Washington hotel and paid her $4,300, the court document said.

The complaint unveiled last week charged four people with running a prostitution ring dubbed The Emperors Club.

It was not known if Spitzer would face any charges stemming from the case.

Via swissinfo.ch