Foley: I was a teenage victim
Says abuse by clergyman not to blame for explicit e-mails to pages
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Disgraced former Rep. Mark Foley said through his lawyer Tuesday that he was sexually abused by a clergyman as a teenager, but accepts responsibility for sending salacious computer messages to teen male pages.
Attorney David Roth said Foley was molested between ages 13 and 15. He declined to identify the clergyman or the church, but Foley is Roman Catholic.
He also acknowledged for the first time that the former congressman is gay, saying the disclosure was part of his client's ''recovery.''
(AP)
Foley ''does not blame the trauma he sustained as a young adolescent for his totally inappropriate e-mails'' and instant messages, Roth said. ''He continues to offer no excuse whatsoever for his conduct.''
Foley represented parts of Palm Beach County for 12 years until he resigned Friday after being accused of sending lurid Internet messages to boys who served as pages on Capitol Hill.
The lawyer said Foley never had any inappropriate sexual contact with a minor.
The communications were first reported last week by ABC News, which released more instant messages Tuesday that suggest Foley interrupted a vote on the House floor to have online sex.
AP
Maf54: I miss you
Teen: ya me too
Maf54: we are still voting
Maf54: you miss me too
(The exchange continues in which Foley and the teen appear to describe having sexual orgasms.)
Maf54: ok..i better go vote..did you know you would have this effect on me
Teen: lol I guessed
Teen: ya go vote...I don't want to keep you from doing our job
Maf54: can I have a good kiss goodnight
Teen: :-*
Teen:
Foley also invited the teen and a friend to come to his house, ABC said:
Teen: are you going to be in town over the veterans day weekend
Maf54: I may be now that your coming
Maf54: who you coming to visit
Teen: haha good stuff
Teen: umm no one really
Maf54: we will be adjourned ny then
Teen: oh good
Maf54: by
Maf54: then we can have a few drinks
Maf54: lol
Teen: yes yes ;-)
Maf54: your not old enough to drink
Teen: shhh...
Maf54: ok
Teen: that's not what my ID says
Teen: lol
Maf54: ok
Teen: I probably shouldn't be telling you that huh
Maf54: we may need to drink at my house so we don't get busted