Spitzer Resigns After Detailed Investigation Led to Prostitution Ring

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• RAY SUAREZ:

  With polls showing 70 percent of New Yorkers favored his resignation, and with the threat of an impeachment hanging over him, Eliot Spitzer went before the cameras this morning.

  GOV. ELIOT SPITZER (D), New York: To every New Yorker, and to all those who believed in what I tried to stand for, I sincerely apologize. I look at my time as governor with a sense of what might have been.

  But I also know that, as a public servant, I, and the remarkable people with whom I worked, have accomplished a great deal. There is much more to be done, and I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the people's work.

• RAY SUAREZ:

  His resignation, effective Monday, capped a whirlwind and stunning fall for Spitzer, who took office in January 2007. In just two days, Spitzer went from a rising force within the Democratic Party to disgraced former governor.

  The state Senate majority leader, Republican Joseph Bruno, spoke in Albany this morning, ahead of Spitzer. Bruno and Spitzer had an ongoing and very public feud.

  JOSEPH BRUNO (R), New York State Senate Majority Leader: My heart goes out to his wife and to his family at this time. He must deal with his own problems in his own way. But it is now time for us and all New Yorkers to move forward.

• RAY SUAREZ:

  It's unclear whether Spitzer will be charged in the case that's already seen four people indicted for operating the Emperors Club VIP, a high-priced call-girl racket.

  Spitzer was elected governor on the strength of his law-and-order reputation as state attorney general. He may be charged with federal crimes. The U.S. attorney handling the case said his office had not struck a deal with the governor.

  Transporting a prostitute across state lines is a federal offense. Spitzer could face federal charges stemming from his payments for the liaisons.

  Today's Washington Post said the FBI had a surveillance team assigned to Spitzer during the governor's January stay in Washington's Mayflower Hotel. Sources told the paper the governor might have spent as much as $80,000 on prostitutes over an unspecified length of time.