Boehner: Lee's resignation was his own choice

By LAURIE KELLMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - House Speaker John Boehner says New York congressman Christopher Lee's rapid resignation on the heels of an Internet scandal was Lee's decision alone.

The Ohio Republican told reporters Thursday that he became aware of Lee's shirtless pictures posted on Craigslist sometime the previous afternoon and of Lee's resignation just after 6 p.m. He said Lee's decision to resign immediately was best for his family and for his Buffalo-area constituents. Boehner refused to go into further detail.

Lee, a Republican, resigned Wednesday a few hours after the gossip site Gawker reported that the married congressman had sent a shirtless photo of himself flexing his muscles to a woman whose Craigslist ad he answered.

Lee said in a statement that he regrets hurting his family and constituents.