Updated 02/09/2011 05:56 PM
Rep. Chris Lee Resigns From Office: 'I have made profound mistakes'
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Rep. Chris Lee, weeks into his second term as Congressman for New York's 26th District, has resigned the office.
The website Gawker on Wednesday published a series of flirtatious emails and photos which were allegedly exchanged between the married Republican congressman and a 34-year-old woman.
The Gawker report contained what looked like a shirtless picture of Lee that was sent in an email responding to a post on Craigslist.
Gawker reported that Lee responded to an ad on Craiglist's "women seeking men" forum, and described himself as a divorced lobbyist and "fun fit classy guy."
Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, a member of Lee's staff said they were aware of the situation, but weren't available for comment.
Shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday, Lee announced his resignation, effective immediately.
“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the people of Western New York. I regret the harm that my actions have caused my family, my staff and my constituents. I deeply and sincerely apologize to them all. I have made profound mistakes and I promise to work as hard as I can to seek their forgiveness.
“The challenges we face in Western New York and across the country are too serious for me to allow this distraction to continue, and so I am announcing that I have resigned my seat in Congress effective immediately.”