Spitzer remorseful speaking about scandal

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NEW YORK, April 6 (UPI) -- Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer said Monday his use of a call-girl service was an "egregious violation" against his family and his entire state.

Spitzer, who resigned his post in March 2008 after being linked to a $4,000-a-session escort service, said on NBC's "Today" show that he deserved to lose his government position as a result of his questionable actions.

"What I did was an egregious violation of trust to my family, to my colleagues, to the state, and I've paid a price and appropriately so," he told "Today" host Matt Lauer.

"This is something that has caused excruciating pain to (my wife) and my daughters," Spitzer, who has found a new career as a columnist for the online magazine Slate.com, said. "It's something that I carry with me every day because of the pain I've caused."

When directly asked about his past use of prostitutes, the former state official offered no excuses for his prior behavior.

"Not frequently -- not long in the grand context of my life," Spitzer said on the "Today" show. "It was an egregious violation of behavior that I fell into for many reasons ... but none of them are excuses."