Report Spitzer May Leave In Call-Girl Flap

By REUVEN BLAU and RICHARD STEIER

As this newspaper went to press early on the evening of March 10, sources said that Governor Spitzer was considering stepping down in the wake of a report that he had patronized a high-priced prostitute in Washington last month.

The Chief-Leader/Michael O'Kane GOVERNOR SPITZER: On his way out?

It was not clear at presstime - about an hour before a scheduled announcement from the Governor's Office - whether he was considering resigning or merely taking a leave of absence during which Lieut. Gov. David A. Paterson would take charge of the state.

Several hours earlier, after the New York Times reported that Mr. Spitzer had been caught on a Federal wiretap arranging a liaison with the prostitute in a Washington hotel on Feb. 13, the Governor appeared with his wife, Silda, before a packed press conference at his office in midtown Manhattan.

Public Apology

While making no specific admissions, he said, "I have acted in a way that violated the obligations to my family and that violates my - or any - sense of right and wrong. I apologize first, and most importantly, to my family. I apologize to the public, whom I promised better."

He went on to say that "I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard that I expect of myself."

The stunning revelations came less than a week after the prostitution service Mr. Spitzer allegedly patronized, the Emperors Club VIP, had been busted by Federal prosecutors in New York for operations here, in Washington, D.C. and at least one other location. The Times's Web site reported that he was caught on a government wiretap arranging the liaison.

One source said that after briefing staff members on the situation Monday morning, Mr. Spitzer had alerted Lieutenant Governor Paterson to be ready to be sworn in later that day, but backed off from immediately resigning in order to study his legal options. It is believed that he would be in better position to settle a possible criminal prosecution if he was still in office.

The developments were astonishing even given Mr. Spitzer's turbulent 14-1/2 months in office. Elected on a platform of cleaning up Albany, the former State Attorney General who was nicknamed the "Sheriff of Wall Street" has been embroiled in several controversies in which his image as a crusader was badly battered.

Bruno Caper Blew Up

The most damaging until now involved staff members who leaked information about Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno's use of state aircraft last summer in an attempt to embarrass him. Those aides were castigated in a report compiled by Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, and Mr. Spitzer was forced to deny that he was aware of their machinations. Investigations by the Albany District Attorney and the Senate are still pending.