Rep. Radel takes leave of absence after cocaine charge

• Radel%2C 37%2C was elected to Florida district last year with Tea Party support
• He says he struggles with alcoholism and made %22an extremely irresponsible choice%22
• Congressman caught in sting operation buying 3.5 grams of cocaine

WASHINGTON — Freshman Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., pleaded guilty Wednesday to possession of cocaine and at an emotional evening news conference said he would take a leave of absence while undergoing treatment.

Radel did not resign his seat in Congress or say how long he would be absent. He said he would donate his salary to charity during his leave and was starting intensive treatment immediately.

He was sentenced to one year of probation and fined $250 on the misdemeanor charge.

Radel said he was "owning up to my actions," though he did not mention drugs or cocaine and referred to facing "this disease." He asked for prayers for his wife and child and forgiveness for himself.

"I believe in forgiveness and redemption," said Radel, who was elected a year ago in a solidly Republican district in the Fort Myers-Naples area with the backing of conservative Tea Party activists. "I hope southwest Florida can forgive me for this. I've let them down," he said.

"I've hit a bottom where I realize I need help. And I have aggressively pursued that help," Radel said, as he admitted in District of Columbia Superior Court that he purchased 3.5 grams of cocaine.

Radel, 37, vowed that he will "come out of this stronger" and told Judge Robert Tignor that he wants to "continue serving this country."

Radel appears to be the first sitting member of Congress charged with a drug crime since then-Rep. Frederick Richmond, D-N.Y., who was convicted in 1982 on charges of drug possession and tax evasion, according to the Associated Press.

Radel was caught buying drugs Oct. 29 from an undercover police officer, according to a statement filed in court by prosecutors and signed by him. The statement explains that agents investigating cocaine trafficking in Washington learned from an informant that Radel "had on several occasions purchased, possessed, and used cocaine." After he was caught, Radel invited federal agents to his apartment where he turned over a vial of cocaine he had there.

The arrest of Radel rocked Congress and his home state. The congressman's arrest comes as Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been stripped of his powers by the City Council for smoking crack, drinking and boorish behavior.

Radel, a former TV reporter before entering politics, apologized for his actions during his court appearance. "I have let my constituents down, my country down and, most importantly, my wife and child down," Radel said.

In a statement Tuesday expressing remorse, he said he struggles with alcoholism.

"This led to an extremely irresponsible choice," Radel said in his statement. "Believe me, I am disappointed in myself, and I stand ready to face the consequences of my actions."

The Florida Democratic Party called on Radel to resign immediately from Congress. "Congressman Trey Radel's conduct is an embarrassment to his district and to the state of Florida," said Scott Arceneaux, executive director of the Florida Democratic Party.

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, issued a statement through spokesman Michael Steel on Tuesday night stressing that members of Congress should be "held to the highest standards" and that the incident is "between Rep. Radel, his family and his constituents."

Radel reportedly did not inform Boehner of his situation until Tuesday afternoon, according to a Washington Post report that cited an unnamed "senior GOP aide familiar with the conversation."

On Radel's Facebook page Tuesday night, there were posts that were both supportive and angry. While some people gave him credit for taking responsibility for his actions, others blasted him for his behavior.

As a member of Congress, Radel has co-sponsored legislation to change the nation's mandatory minimum drug sentencing laws and voted for a bill that called for states to drug test people who receive food stamps. He often talks about his love of hip-hop music and is a frequent user of social media such as Twitter.

Contributing: Donna Leinwand Leger, Ledyard King and the Associated Press

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