New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in disgrace Wednesday after getting caught in a call-girl scandal that shattered his corruption-fighting, straight-arrow image, saying: “I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the people’s work.” Spitzer made the announcement without having finalized a plea deal with federal prosecutors, though a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation said he is believed to still be negotiating one.”I go forward with the belief as others have said that as human beings our greatest glory consists not in never falling but in rising every time we fall,” Spitzer said at a Manhattan news conference with his wife, Silda, at his side. He left without answering any questions. Spitzer will be replaced, effective Monday, by Lt. Gov. David Paterson. The scandal erupted Monday when allegations surfaced that Spitzer, father of three teen daughters, spent thousands of dollars on a call girl at a swanky Washington hotel on the night before Valentine’s Day. The announcement followed two days of furious activity. Calls for his resignation came immediately. Republicans began talking impeachment if he didn’t step aside. The case started when banks noticed frequent cash transfers from several accounts and filed suspicious activity reports with the Internal Revenue Service, a law enforcement official said. The accounts were traced back to Spitzer, leading public corruption investigators to open an inquiry. In a statement issued after the announcement, U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia said there was no deal with the disgraced governor: “There is no agreement between this office and Governor Eliot Spitzer, relating to his resignation or any other matter.”