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Hevesi Reportedly Ready to Resign
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Hevesi's quitting would make it easier for Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer...as he wouldn't have to force the fellow democrat out of office. Spitzer: "There is certainly a sense right now that there is an aura of unseemliness about too much of what goes on in Albany."

So who would replace Hevesi? A number of Western New Yorkers are being mentioned for the job...including Buffalo City Comptroller Andrew Sanfilippo. "No one enjoys the circumstances by which this position may become vacant." Sanfilippo says he's honored and flattered by the consideration. He believes Spitzer needs an upstater in the top of his administration. "Certainly I bring the credentials as well as the experience to the office and that's what I intend to present to the party leaders as we go forward in this process."

Sources say former U.S. Attorney Denise O'Donnell's name is also being mentioned in the State Capital to succeed Hevesi. Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz is getting attention, too. "I'm a little surprised Hevesi would have agreed to resign. I heard he was going to fight this no matter what happened....if asked, I would be honored to serve but I can tell you this I'm not actively seeking the position."

Several other downstate candidates are also being mentioned as Hevesi's replacement. The final decision would be up to the democrat-controlled state legislature.

Hevesi has also agreed to repay the state more than 200 thousand dollars to settle the Attorney General's investigation into how much he owed for the drivers' service.

Copyright WKBW-TV, 2006