Spitzer's not so clean

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was a media darling who made a name for himself bringing down big, mean corporations as the attorney general.

Apparently, he was a darling for more than just the media.

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer scheduled an abrupt announcement Monday from his office as news reports were breaking that the governor told staffers he was involved in a prostitution ring.

Spitzer, who was especially tough on corporate crime as New York attorney general, told his staff Monday that he was involved in the ring, according to The New York Times' Web site, citing an anonymous administration official. No further details regarding his involvement were immediately available.

Just last week, four arrests were made in connection to a high-profile prostitution ring involving big-dollar clients.

The Times reports that a source with knowledge of the governor’s role believes the governor is one of the men identified as clients in court papers in the prostitution ring.

I'm anxious to see where the media takes this one...

UPDATE:

(CNN) -- Gov. Eliot Spitzer said he "acted in way that violates his obligation to his family," speaking hours after the New York Times reported he told senior administration officials he had been involved in a prostitution ring.

"I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public, to whom I promised better," he said.

He did not elaborate on the paper's claims and did not take any questions after making his statement.

"I am disappointed that I failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself," he said

The paper's Web site cited an anonymous administration official and said the New York governor met with his top aides before making his statement.

"To say this is a shock is an understatement," said CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin, who went to law school with Spitzer.

Spitzer served as New York's attorney general for eight years before being elected governor.

Time magazine named him "Crusader of the Year" during his two terms as New York attorney general.

Tabloids labeled him "Eliot Ness," after the hero in the crime drama "The Untouchables," because of his reputation for rooting out corruption, busting white-collar criminals and tackling organized crime.

He was also known for prosecuting several prostitution rings.

He also worked as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan and worked for three New York law firms after receiving his law degree from Harvard.

The first-term Democrat had been considered a rising star among his party.

Spitzer is married and has three daughters.

UPDATE II:

Facing likely charges, Fox News reports that he's going to resign. (Hat tip: Power Line)