UPDATE 1-NY Assembly Minority leader says Gov should resign

(Updates with background on New York Times report and Spitzer)

ALBANY, N.Y., March 10 (Reuters) - New York State Assembly Republican Minority Leader James Tedisco on Monday called for Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer to resign.

"Today's news that Eliot Spitzer was likely involved with a prostitution ring and his refusal to deny it leads to one inescapable conclusion: he has disgraced his office and the entire state of New York," Tedisco told reporters.

"He should resign his office immediately," added Tedisco.

In a brief public appearance after a New York Times report that he may be linked to a prostitution link, Spitzer apologized to his family and to the public for a "private matter." He made no reference to the New York Times report and said nothing about possibly resigning. (Reporting by Elizabeth Flood Morrow; Writing by Joan Gralla; Editing by James Dalgleish)