Congressman resigns after scandal

A married Republican Congressman from New York, who solicited a romantic encounter over the Internet, has resigned, saying he regretted actions that had hurt his family, staff and constituents.

A married Republican Congressman from New York, who solicited a romantic encounter over the internet, has resigned, saying he regretted actions that had hurt his family, staff and constituents.

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Congressman Chris Lee sent in his resignation letter hours after a website -- Gawker.com – in a news report said that he solicited a romantic encounter over the Internet, even sending a shirtless photo of himself to the woman.

46-year-old Lee is married and has one son.

"I regret the harm that my actions have caused my family, my staff and my constituents. I deeply and sincerely apologize to them all. I have made profound mistakes and I promise to work as hard as I can to seek their forgiveness," Lee said in a statement.

According to Gawker report, Lee responded to an ad on the Craigslist's "women seeking men" forum.

In the ad, the woman said she was looking for "financially & emotionally secure" men who don't "look like toads."

That same day, she allegedly received a response from a person who said his name was Christopher Lee, describing himself as a 39-year-old lobbyist, "a very fit fun classy guy. Live in Cap Hill area. 6ft 190lbs blond/blue," The Washington Post said.

Lee was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2008. A few month ago, he gained a seat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.