Spitzer Steps Down

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, as expected, announced his resignation Wednesday morning, making a brief but graceful exit with his wife, Silda, at his side. Spitzer didn’t say what his specific plans would be after his successor, Lt. Gov. David Paterson, takes office on March 17, but he pledged that he “will try once again outside of politics to serve the common good.”

CNN.com:

The announcement came as the New York governor faces allegations—but no charges—that he is tied to an international prostitution ring ensnared in a federal probe.

Spitzer’s lawyers were in discussions Wednesday with the U.S. attorney’s office in New York, trying to negotiate a plea deal to avoid prosecution, a source with knowledge of the discussions said.

Spitzer, a former state attorney general whose reputation as a scourge of white-collar crime propelled him to the governor’s office in 2006, has faced calls for his resignation since apologizing for a personal indiscretion Monday. He did not elaborate.

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cnn.com

So long: Gov. Spitzer will officially leave office on Monday, March 17.