Governor Eliot Spitzer was found to have ties with a massive high-end prostitute ring, the New York Times reported. The steamroller's political future looks uncertain.

Federal investigators charged four members of the Emperor's Club VIP with human trafficking among other crimes last week. Among the evidence was the federal wiretap of "Client 9" identified by witnesses as Spitzer. He was overheard making arrangements to have a woman travel from NYC to Washington, where he would meet her in a hotel room he'd reserved under a false name.

The investigators told the governor's office of their discovery last Friday. Spitzer informed his frightened aides on Sunday and cancelled all public events today. One member of his staff allegedly wept before the Governor released a brief statement in front of the press, seemingly admitting his guilt but framing it as "a private matter."

"I apologize first, and most importantly, to my family. I apologize to the public whom I promised better," he said, standing next to his wife with whom he has three children. "I am disappointed that I failed to live up to the standard that I expect of myself. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family. I will not be taking questions. Thank you very much. I will report back to you in short order."

As soon as he was finished, he silently ran out of the room to the sound of reporters yelling questions about resignation. The admission, though it did not directly mention the prostitution ring casts a very dark shadow on Spitzer who shut down two prostitution rings in his past as Attorney General. The scandal comes on the heels of a hostile climate surrounding Spitzer who made a habit of getting into fights with Albany lawmakers.

by Igor Kossov