Busted Fort Myers Congressman resigns

FORT MYERS — U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fort Myers, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drug possession charge that stemmed from when he bought cocaine from an undercover federal agent, has resigned from Congress.

A television and radio host in his first term in Congress, Radel spent nearly a month in a rehab facility after he pleaded guilty to the charge Nov. 20 in Washington, D.C. He stated publicly that he wouldn't resign, and he returned to Washington and Congress after the winter recess.

But Radel, in a resignation letter sent today to House Speaker John Boehner and Florida Gov. Rick Scott, says “unfortunately some of my struggles had serious consequences. While I have dealt with those issues on a personal level, it is my belief that professionally I cannot fully and effectively serve as a U.S. Representative to the place I love and call home, Southwest Florida.”