New York Governor Eliot Spitzer (C) leaves after a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington November 14, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's political future was clouded abruptly Monday with his admission that he had violated the trust of his family and the public in the wake of reports that a federal investigation had linked him to a prostitution ring, according to media reports Tuesday.

Spitzer, 48, who rose to prominence as a hard-charging attorney general was known for rooting out corruption within Wall Street and on the streets.

He made several high-profile prosecutions of Wall Street figures, extracting billions of dollars in fines from investment banks, mutual funds and brokerage houses.

He also made a name for himself by busting prostitution rings.