Vito Lopez announces resignation from New York Assembly
NEW YORK (WABC) -- New York Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who is accused of sexual harassment, has announced his resignation effective at the end of the current session. Lopez released the followign statement:
"I am gratified that Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan has concluded, after an exhaustive investigation, that there is no basis for brining criminal charges against me. I have maintained my innocence throughout this matter and I believe no criminal investigation should ever have been conducted.
"I have made no secret that I intend to run for New York City Council in November, which requires me to resign my current term. Nevertheless, because the citizens of my district voted me back into office last November by an overwhelming majority, I feel obligated to serve out this session of the Assembly. I therefore announce that as of June 20, 2013, the last day of the session, I resign my position.
"I expect to run a vigorous campaign on the issues facing the citizens of my community and hope to continue to serve them as a member of the City Council. I believe that the voters of the community should decide who should represent them."
The move comes as Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was set to introduce legislation on Friday recommending that state lawmakers expel Lopez.
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