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Florida politician resigns as sexually charged texts to teens appear
Luv your jock strp 4ever
Representative Mark Foley of Florida may soon be wishing he wasn't so aggressive in passing legislation against sex offenders. The Republican up for reelection resigned today after various groups revealed a number of sexually charged messages allegedly sent by Foley to young boys.
"I am deeply sorry and I apologize for letting down my family and the people of Florida I have had the privilege to represent," Foley said in a statement. The politician did not elaborate on what he was apologizing for or had done wrong.
ABC News was more forthcoming.
The organization published a number of text messages purported to have been sent between Foley and young congressional pages.
Cover your eyes, if jock strap banter is too bold for your tastes.
One text message series published by ABC had Foley asking a page "what you wearing" and, after being told that the boy had a t-shirt and shorts on, replying "love to slip them off you."
Things got dirtier from there.
Maf54 (7:53:45 PM): in your shorts and polo shirt?
Xxxxxxxxxx (7:54:06 PM): no athletic shorts and t shirt...had soccer practice today
Maf54 (7:54:15 PM): ummm nice
Maf54 (7:54:30 PM): jock strap too
Xxxxxxxxxx (7:54:41 PM): not iin soccer
Xxxxxxxxxx (7:54:42 PM): lol
Maf54 (7:55:09 PM): what do you wear then
Xxxxxxxxxx (7:55:20 PM): just our boxers and shorts
Maf54 (7:55:34 PM): good
Xxxxxxxxxx (7:55:37 PM): lol
Maf54 (7:55:42 PM): shows your package then
Xxxxxxxxxx (8:33:29 PM): ya slow things down a little im still young...like under 18 dont want to do anything illegal...im not 18 till feb 23
Maf54 (8:33:43 PM): i know..
Maf54 (8:33:50 PM): nothing will happen
Maf54 (8:34:04 PM): just dreaming
You can catch the full transcripts of various chats here.
These suggestive notes added to an investigation already in place over e-mails (available here) Foley had allegedly sent to another page. The politician's resignation has derailed a bustling career. He was likely to be reelected in November to the House of Representatives.
Now, however, Republicans have been forced to find a replacement on short notice.
Some of Foley's shining legislative moments came just months ago, as the "Foley child safety" legislation passed through the senate and as he introduced another bill attacking the internet child porn industry.
"For too long our nation has tracked library books better than it has sex offenders," Foley said in July. "That day is coming to an end… We are closing loopholes that sex offenders and pedophiles have used to prey on children.”
Reports have alleged that the boys in question were under 18.
One part of the legislation sponsored by Foley demands a new, mandatory 10-year sentence for specific sex crimes against a child. ®