NEW YORK -- Ensnared in a prostitution scandal, Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned from office yesterday, leaving it to his successor to sort out another mess: a politically torn legislature facing a $4.4 billion deficit.
The first-term Democratic governor resigned after a federal wiretap investigation revealed he was a client of a high-priced prostitution ring - by some accounts he might have spent $80,000 during numerous liaisons with employees of the Emperors Club VIP call girl service.
Spitzer, his wife by his side, stepped down from his post in a somber news conference yesterday morning. He offered his apologies and announced that, at the request of Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson, the transfer of power would take place Monday.
Paterson, 53, a Democrat from Harlem who was first elected to the state Senate in 1985, will become the first African-American and first legally blind governor of New York.
Paterson will inherit a laundry list of challenges, including passing a state budget, which must be enacted by March 31.
"He's entering a situation where the state has almost a $5 billion deficit and an economy that is underperforming," said Joseph Mercurio, a longtime political consultant in Manhattan. "He's got to figure out how to keep the state afloat in those conditions."
In a statement after Spitzer's resignation, Paterson said: "Like all New Yorkers, I am saddened by what we have learned over the past several days."
Paterson said he was close friends with Spitzer and his wife, Silda, adding: "As an elected official, the governor has worked hard for the people of New York.
"It is now time for Albany to get back to work as the people of this state expect from us."
Spitzer announced his resignation before noon at his midtown Manhattan office after staying huddled with family and advisers at his home for more than 36 hours.
"In the past few days, I have begun to atone for my private failings with my wife, Silda, my children and my entire family," he said. "The remorse I feel will always be with me. Words cannot describe how grateful I am for the love and compassion they have shown me."
Silda Wall Spitzer stood with her hands clasped behind her back, looking weary and occasionally locking her eyes on his face during the two-minute speech, in which Spitzer apologized to his family and the people who believed in him.
"There is much more to be done, and I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the people's work," he said.
