Foley Investigation Concludes, No Charges Brought

What happened, did Mark Foley become an honorary Democrat? One can only figure that's how he avoided prosecution.

Former U.S. Representative Mark Foley is not expected to face charges following a lengthy investigation into lurid messages he sent to underage congressional pages. According to The Associated Press, two federal law enforcement officials said the results of a Florida state investigation would be announced Friday.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case. They went on to say that while an FBI investigation has not been closed, they do not expect state or federal charges to be filed.

Foley represented parts of Palm Beach County for 12 years. He resigned in 2006 after being confronted with e-mails and instant messages he sent to mail pages. Foley's attorney, David Roth, acknowledges that Foley sent the messages to the teenagers, but insists the Florida Republican never had inappropriate contact with minors.

Since the incident, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI have been investigating Foley. He has kept a low profile since late last year, but has been seen occasionally around West Palm Beach.

Shortly after his resignation, Foley's attorney announced the former Representative was gay and was molested by a priest as a teenage altar boy. Foley checked himself into an Arizona treatment facility for what his attorneys described as "alcoholism and other behavioral problems."

The Foley fiasco certainly helped contribute to the GOP losing control of the House of Representatives in 2006, although their ineptitude in many other areas certainly didn't help.

It's curious though how Democrats circle the wagons around their own when their members face far more serious legal and ethical problems.

In fact, ethical lapses seem to be a resume enhancer in some regards. How else would Barney Frank and Charles Rangel remain as committee chairmen? Not to mention the legal problems face by other luminaries such as William "The Refrigerator" Jefferson.