UPDATE 9-New York Gov. Spitzer resigns amid sex scandal

(Adds description of woman, paragraphs 6-7)

By Daniel Trotta

NEW YORK, March 12 (Reuters) - New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned on Wednesday amid a scandal over a $1,000-an-hour prostitute, ending a career built on pugnacious investigations of Wall Street crimes and an image of moral rectitude.

His resignation completed a fast and spectacular downfall for the former New York state chief prosecutor, who become prominent by probing financial crime with a publicity conscious vigor that earned him the nickname Sheriff of Wall Street.

Lt. Gov. David Paterson will replace him next Monday, Spitzer announced in a brief statement that dwelt on his remorse for "private failings" but did not detail what they were. Spitzer, 48, is married with three children.

The Democratic governor had faced intense pressure to resign and impeachment threats from Republicans since The New York Times reported Monday he was caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet a prostitute in a Washington hotel room.

Court documents in a federal investigation said a repeat customer identified only as "Client 9" paid $4,300 to a pretty and petite prostitute known as "Kristen." The Times, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, said Spitzer was Client 9.

The Times reported on its Web site on Wednesday that "Kristen" was a 22-year-old who had left home in New Jersey at 17, originally hoping for career as a rhythm and blues singer in New York. "I just don't want to be thought of as a monster," the woman told the newspaper.

The Times said she had been born Ashley Youmans but now is known as Ashley Alexandra Dupre, and that she was expected to be a witness in the case against four people charged with operating a prostitution ring called the "Emperor's Club V.I.P." It said she has not been charged.