WASHINGTON _ U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold resigned Friday, roughly four months after news broke that he had settled a sexual harassment lawsuit with taxpayer money.
"While I planned on serving out the remainder of my term in Congress, I know in my heart it's time for me to move along and look for new ways to serve," Farenthold, R-Texas, said in a statement Friday. He said he sent a letter to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott resigning his position effective 5 p.m. Friday.
"Leaving my service in the House, I'm able to look back at the entirety of my career in public office and say that it was well worthwhile," Farenthold said.
Farenthold had already decided in December not to run for re-election following a renewed Ethics Committee investigation into sexual harassment, inappropriate comments to staff and discrimination based on gender. Politico first reported in early December that the Treasury Department had paid $84,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit with Farenthold's former communications director.
