NEW YORK (AP) - A law enforcement official has told The Associated Press that New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's involvement in a prostitution ring was caught on a federal wiretap.

The official says Spitzer is identified in court papers as "Client 9," and the wiretap was part of an investigation that opened in the last few months.

The official says the New York governor met last month with at least one woman in a Washington hotel. The law enforcement official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation.

Gov. Spitzer apologized to his family and the public today, but did not not elaborate on the bombshell report.

The governor, in a brief news conference at his Manhattan office, said, "I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family...my sense of right and wrong. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust to my family."

Spitzer's wife, Silda, stood at his side, as he made the statement. They have three daughters.

The alleged prostitution connection - first reported by The New York Times - marked a stunning turn of events for a politician who built his legacy on rooting out corruption.

Last week, federal prosecutors in Manhattan filed conspiracy charges against four people, accusing them of running a prostitution ring that charged wealthy clients in Europe and the U.S. thousands of dollars for prostitutes.

The Web site of the Emperors Club VIP displays photographs of the prostitutes' bodies, with their faces hidden, along with hourly rates depending on whether the prostitutes were rated with various numbers of diamonds, with seven diamonds being the highest. Prosecutors said the highest-ranked prostitutes cost $5,500 an hour.

The case is being handled by prosecutors in the Public Corruption unit of U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia's office, which had no comment.

Statement from Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno:

We are very, very unfortunate, and I feel very badly for the Governor's wife, for his children. The important thing for the people of New York State is that people in office do the right thing because there are so many challenges out there, and it's important that we govern, move forward to getting a proper budget in place for the people of this state.

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco:

Today's news that Eliot Spitzer was likely involved with a prostitution ring and his refusal to deny it leaves one inescapable conclusion he has disgraced his office, and the entire state of New York. He should resign his office immediately. Public service is a public trust. Eliot Spitzer has violated this trust and forsaken his oath of office for the good of his family, for the good of our state, for the good of governorship. Eliot Spitzer must resign immediately. He is unfit to lead our state and unfit to hold public office.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press, All rights reserved.