NY governor apologizes for linking to prostitution ring

NEW YORK, March 10 (Xinhua) -- New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer, who was reportedly involved in an upscale prostitution ring, made a public apology on Monday to his family and the public.

"I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public, whom I promised better," for acting "in away that violates my obligations to my family, that violates my or any sense of right and wrong," Spitzer said at a news conference on Monday afternoon.

With his wife at his side, he said he must now "dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family." But he did not give details on his prostitution link, and did not say if he would resign neither.

According to local media reports, the governor's involvement in a prostitution ring was caught on a federal wiretap.

The reports quoted a law enforcement official as saying that Spitzer is identified in court papers as "Client 9" and the wiretap was part of an investigation that opened in the last few months.

The unidentified official said that Spitzer met last month with at least one woman in a Washington hotel.

The prostitution ring, known as the "Emperor's Club VIP," was broken up by New York authorities last week.

According to prosecutors, the ring operated in cities across the United States, employing more than 50 prostitutes who charged client fees ranging from 1,000 to 5,500 U.S. dollars per hour.

As a Democrat know for his moral crusading, 48-year-old Spitzeris married with three children.