Gov. Eliot Spitzer issued an apology for the controversy surrounding wrongdoings by two of his top aides.

In a letter published in Sunday?s New York Times, Spitzer apologized for the scandal involving two of his staffers? smear campaign against Republic Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. While the governor apologizes for the actions, he also distances himself from responsibility.

"No illegal activity occurred on my watch,? wrote Spitzer in the piece. ?It is crystal clear that what members of my administration did was wrong.?

A report released Tuesday by State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo states that Spitzer?s spokesman, Darren Dopp, and New York Assistant Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security William Howard conspired to release Bruno?s travel records.

The State Ethics Commission announced Friday that a formal investigation into the matter has been launched.