Democratic New York state Governor Eliot Spitzer is coming under increasing pressure to resign after an article published in The New York Times linked him to a prostitution ring.

The Republican minority leader of the state assembly, John Tedisco, said he would introduce impeachment proceedings unless Spitzer resigns by Thursday.

Spitzer, who is married with three children, made a public apology Monday to his constituents and family. He did not specify why he was apologizing, saying only that it was a "private matter."

The Times reported that Spitzer was caught on a federal wiretap last month arranging to meet with a prostitute at a hotel in Washington, D.C.

The governor has not yet been charged with a crime.

The White House says President Bush believes the prostitution scandal surrounding Spitzer is a "sad situation."

An indictment unsealed last week names four people connected to a prostitution ring known as Emperors Club VIP who have been charged with conspiracy to violate federal prostitution laws.

Spitzer was elected governor in 2006. He previously served as New York state attorney general, where he earned the nickname "Mr. Clean" for his efforts to wipe out corruption in New York's financial sector. He also prosecuted the members of at least two prostitution rings.