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NY's Spitzer facing calls to quit Deadline to quit for NY's Spitzer
(about 2 hours later)
New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer is facing growing calls to resign over allegations that he hired a prostitute. New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer has been given a deadline to step down or face impeachment proceedings over allegations that he hired a prostitute.
New York newspapers and political opponents said there was no way he could remain in office. His top Republican opponent in the New York Assembly gave him up to 48 hours - until early on Thursday - to resign.
Although he has not admitted paying for sex, he did tell a news conference that he had let down his family. Mr Spitzer has not admitted paying for sex, but he did tell a news conference that he had let down his family.
There is also speculation that he might face criminal charges. Corruption detectives are investigating him over how payments were made, officials say. There is also speculation he might face criminal charges, amid a reported inquiry into financial transactions.
The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says Mr Spitzer has taken on a big Manhattan law firm - possibly in anticipation of being charged. The allegations against Mr Spitzer, a high-profile Democrat who campaigned for ethical leadership, have caused widespread shock in New York and US political circles.
He has disgraced his office and the entire state of New York James TediscoNY assembly Republican leader Little media sympathyProfile: Eliot SpitzerJustin Webb's blog
The Wall Street Journal quoted "a person close to" the governor as saying he was likely to resign, perhaps by the end of the day.
New York Assembly Republican Minority Leader James Tedisco said: "If he does not resign within the next 24 to 48 hours, we will prepare articles of impeachment to remove him.
"We need a leader in place that has the support of people on both sides of the aisle," Mr Tedisco told reporters.
The assemblyman's spokesman told the BBC that the business of state government would be paralysed until Mr Spitzer left office.
The Republicans would need support from the Democratic majority in the assembly to start impeachment proceedings.
Lost trustLost trust
The investigation began when banks reported irregular transfers to the Internal Revenue Service, which traced them back to Mr Spitzer and discovered they were made to a high-priced prostitution ring, an unnamed law enforcement official told the Associated Press (AP) news agency. The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says Mr Spitzer has taken on a big Manhattan law firm - possibly in anticipation of being charged.
He has disgraced his office and the entire state of New York James TediscoRepublican state assembly leader class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7289268.stm">Little media sympathy class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7288725.stm">Profile: Eliot Spitzer class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/justinwebb/">Justin Webb's blog The investigation began last year when banks reported irregular transfers to the Internal Revenue Service, which traced them back to Mr Spitzer and discovered they were made to a high-priced prostitution ring, an unnamed law enforcement official told the Associated Press (AP) news agency.
The account matched that reported earlier by the New York Times. SPITZER SCANDAL TIMELINE 2007 Internal Revenue Service reportedly begins investigating Eliot Spitzer, after banks report suspicious transfers12-13 Feb, 2008 Spitzer allegedly heard on federal wiretap arranging to meet woman at Washington hotel13 Feb Spitzer allegedly rents room for "Kristen" at Mayflower Hotel and sneaks past his police guard to meet her6 Mar Four other people charged with operating prostitution ring11 Mar NY Times breaks story, saying Spitzer has called aides to emergency meeting; Spitzer tells press conference he has let down his family Allegations based on law enforcement sources quoted by Associated Press and New York Times
Mr Spitzer, 48, was overheard during a surveillance operation arranging to meet a woman in a Washington hotel last month, the AP source alleged. The account of events matched that reported earlier by the New York Times.
Investigators had found that Spitzer was a repeat customer with the prostitution agency, called the Emperors Club VIP, the official said. Mr Spitzer, 48, was overheard during a surveillance operation arranging to meet a woman - "Kristen"- in a Washington hotel last month, the AP source alleged.
Kristen was described by the prostitution agency as a "petite, pretty brunette", according to a federal court document, the source said.
Investigators had found that Mr Spitzer was a repeat customer with the agency, called the Emperors Club VIP, the official said.
He allegedly paid more than $4,000 for the girl's services.He allegedly paid more than $4,000 for the girl's services.
No charges have been brought against Mr Spitzer, and he has not admitted any criminal offence. No charges have been brought against Mr Spitzer, and he has not admitted any offence.
But he did tell a packed press conference at his Manhattan office: "I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself.But he did tell a packed press conference at his Manhattan office: "I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself.
"I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family," he added, as his wife of two decades, Silda, stood by his side."I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family," he added, as his wife of two decades, Silda, stood by his side.
'Ruined''Ruined'
There was little sympathy on display for Mr Spitzer, a first-term Democratic governor who won office after campaigning on ethical leadership, and who was known for his relentless pursuit of office-holders suspected of wrong-doing. There was little sympathy on display for Mr Spitzer, a first-term Democratic governor who was known for his relentless pursuit of office-holders suspected of wrongdoing.
An editorial in the Wall Street Journal said: "Governor Spitzer, who made his career by specialising in not just the prosecution, but the ruin, of other men, is himself almost certainly ruined."An editorial in the Wall Street Journal said: "Governor Spitzer, who made his career by specialising in not just the prosecution, but the ruin, of other men, is himself almost certainly ruined."
Mr Spitzer has promised to support Mrs Clinton's presidential bid
Kenneth Lovett, of the New York Post, said: "It's hard to see how he can remain as governor - or why he should."Kenneth Lovett, of the New York Post, said: "It's hard to see how he can remain as governor - or why he should."
The Republican minority leader of the New York state assembly, James Tedisco, called for Mr Spitzer to resign "immediately". Mr Spitzer, a father-of-three, was elected governor in November 2006.
"Today's news that Eliot Spitzer was likely involved with a prostitution ring and his refusal to deny it leads to an inescapable conclusion: he has disgraced his office and the entire state of New York," Mr Tedisco said. As New York's attorney general, he had become known as "the sheriff of Wall Street" for his campaign against financial crime.
The scandal could prove embarrassing for New York Senator Hillary Clinton, who is competing with rival Barack Obama to be the Democratic Party's choice to run for president.
A close ally of Mrs Clinton, Mr Spitzer has pledged to support her campaign.
Mr Spitzer, a father-of-three, was elected governor in November 2006, promising ethical reform in New York.
As New York's attorney general, he had become known as "the sheriff of Wall Street" for his campaign against financial wrong-doing.
His successes in that battle led Time Magazine to name him "Crusader of the Year" in 2002.His successes in that battle led Time Magazine to name him "Crusader of the Year" in 2002.