UPDATE 7-New York Gov. Spitzer linked to prostitute -report

(Adds speculation about resignation, charges)

By Daniel Trotta and Robert Campbell

NEW YORK, March 10 (Reuters) - New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, the one-time "Sheriff" of Wall Street who campaigned on a promise to clean up state politics, was embroiled in a sex scandal on Monday that threatened to force his resignation.

A New York Times report linked him to a $1,000-an-hour prostitute, saying he was caught on a federal wiretap at least six times on Feb. 12 and 13 arranging to meet with her at a Washington hotel last month.

The Times said he was the man described in court papers as Client 9 who patronized the Emperors Club, which federal investigators allege was a prostitution ring whose most expensive professionals charged more than $5,500 an hour.

Spitzer, a married 48-year-old Democrat who investigated prostitution as New York's attorney general, apologized for what he described as "private matter" but said nothing about resigning. State Republicans called for him to step down.

The state capital, Albany, was rife with speculation about when Spitzer would resign and whether he would be charged with a crime. Prosecutors rarely bring charges against clients of prostitutes in such cases.

"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," the father of three daughters told reporters in New York City with his wife, Silda Wall Spitzer, at his side.

"I am disappointed that I failed to live up to the standard that I expect of myself. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family."