'Sheriff of Wall St' Spitzer quits amid vice scandal

New York governor Eliot Spitzer, a crusader against corruption and the “Sheriff of Wall Street”, resigned today following his involvement in a worldwide prostitution ring.

The 48-year-old father of three teenage daughters was caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet a high-priced prostitute called Kristen at a Washington hotel last month.

Mr Spitzer paid thousands of dollars to the call girl on the night before Valentine’s Day as one of the clients of the international Emperor’s Club VIP operation, which was smashed by FBI agents last week.

Mr Spitzer, who was known for his abrasive style, will now lose his position as a Democratic super-delegate in support of former first lady Hillary Clinton’s bid for the US presidency.

He will be replaced by Lieutenant Governor David Paterson, who will become New York’s first black governor.

Mr Paterson, who has a reputation as a conciliator, is legally blind but has enough sight in his right eye to walk unaided, recognise people at conversational distance and read text if it is placed close to his face.