Trey Radel to resign from Congress

Florida Republican congressman Trey Radel who was convicted on cocaine possession charges, will resign from Congress on Monday.

Trey Radel’s future in Congress had been in question following his guilty plea to misdemeanor cocaine possession after being arrested in Washington, D.C. in November, and a subsequent leave of absence from his official duties to attend rehab.

“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 United States Representative to the place I love and call home, Southwest Florida,” the Florida Rep. wrote in a letter to House Speaker John Boehner.

News of Trey Radel’s plans to resign was first reported by Politico, and was confirmed by an aide to the congressman.

Trey Radel had sidestepped questions about whether he intended to resign after his arrest and stint in rehab, and returned to Capitol Hill earlier this month. He apologized to fellow Republican lawmakers during a closed-door meeting on January 8.