Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks said at a press conference Monday that the prostitution scandal involving New York Governor Eliot Spitzer "casts a cloud over everyone in government" and that Spitzer should resign.

The New York Times is reporting that Spitzer has been "linked" to a prostitution ring. He made a brief announcement Monday afternoon, apologizing to his family and the public, and declining to take questions. The Times reported that Spitzer was caught on a federal wiretap arranging to see a prostitute. The government was investigating a high-priced prostitution ring, the Times said.

"I don't think a governor with this type of allegation as a cloud over his head can continue to lead effectively," Brooks said. "This will be a distraction. If he really is sincere in his belief that this should be about the state of New York, then Eliot Spitzer should step aside."

The bombshell news raises multiple questions, including whether Spitzer will resign. (WABC was reporting that he will.) If so, Lieutenant Governor David Paterson would become the state's first African-American governor.

The Spitzer story will have major ramifications in the State Senate, where Democrats are one vote away from having control. Spitzer is said to have been working hard to get a Democratic majority, offering jobs to some Republican Senators and trying to get others - including Rochester Senator Joe Robach - to change parties.

Spitzer did not address that issue in his brief, terse statement Monday. In fact, you could conclude that he was still wrestling with that issue. He talked about having tried to "rebuild New York and create opportunity for all," and then added: "We sought to bring real change to New York and that will continue."

The full text of his statement:

"For the past nine years, eight years as attorney general and one as governor, I have tried to uphold a vision of progressive politics that would rebuild New York and create opportunity for all. We sought to bring real change to New York and that will continue.

"Today, I want to briefly address a private matter. I have acted in a way that violates my obligation to my family and 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.

"I do not believe that politics in the long run is about individuals. It is about ideas and the public good and doing what is best for the State of New York. But I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family.

"I will not be taking questions. Thank you very much. I will report back to you in short order. Thank you very much."