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Exclusive: The Sexually Explicit Internet Messages That Led to Fla. Rep. Foley's Resignation
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ShareSeptember 29, 2006 5:59 PM
Florida Rep. Mark Foley's resignation came just hours after ABC News questioned the congressman about a series of sexually explicit instant messages involving congressional pages, high school students who are under 18 years of age.
In Congress, Rep. Foley (R-FL) was part of the Republican leadership and the chairman of the House caucus on missing and exploited children.
He crusaded for tough laws against those who used the Internet for sexual exploitation of children.
THE BLOTTER RECOMMENDS
- Read an instant message exchange a former page says he had with Rep. Foley in 2003. Warning: sexually explicit language, reader discretion advised.
- Sixteen-Year-Old Who Worked as Capitol Hill Page Concerned About E-mail Exchange with Congressman
- Check out the World News Report on Foley on the Brian Ross Home Page
"They're sick people; they need mental health counseling," Foley said.
But, according to several former congressional pages, the congressman used the Internet to engage in sexually explicit exchanges.
They say he used the screen name Maf54 on these messages provided to ABC News.
Maf54: You in your boxers, too?
Teen: Nope, just got home. I had a college interview that went late.
Maf54: Well, strip down and get relaxed.
Another message:
Maf54: What ya wearing?
Teen: tshirt and shorts
Maf54: Love to slip them off of you.
And this one:
Maf54: Do I make you a little horny?
Teen: A little.
Maf54: Cool.
The language gets much more graphic, too graphic to be broadcast, and at one point the congressman appears to be describing Internet sex.
Federal authorities say such messages could result in Foley's prosecution, under some of the same laws he helped to enact.
"Adds up to soliciting underage children for sex," said Brad Garrett, a former FBI agent and now an ABC News consultant. "And what it amounts to is serious both state and federal violations that could potentially get you a number of years."
Foley's resignation letter was submitted late this afternoon, and he left Capitol Hill without speaking to reporters.
In a statement, he said he was "deeply sorry" and apologized for letting down his family and the people of Florida.
But he made no mention of the Internet messages or the pages.
One former page tells ABC News that his class was warned about Foley by people involved in the program.
Other pages told ABC News they were hesitant to report Foley because of his power in Congress.
This all came to a head in the last 24 hours. Yesterday, we asked the congressman about some much tamer e-mails from one page, and he said he was just being overly friendly. After we posted that story online, we began to hear from a number of other pages who sent these much more explicit, instant messages. When the congressman realized we had them, he resigned.
Click here to read more Internet exchanges between Foley and former congressional pages.
September 29, 2006 in Mark Foley Internet Scandal | Permalink | User Comments (652)
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That is why he quit so fast. Evidence that shows he did it. Plus being on the Committe to fight such things he should have known better.
Posted by: DL | Sep 29, 2006 6:30:51 PM
I am certainly not making excuses for the allegations against the Congressman. However, I will say this, unless the AOL technical team can provide electronic versions of these messages, or unless a forensic examination of the alleged victims' computers can verify the accuracy of these messages. The PDF file is just another possible Dan Rather incident. With all the ability to cut and paste, and fabricate documents, I would like to see some hard evidence provided by someone other than the alleged victims. It is very easy for someone to slander someone else with nothing more than a word processor and some fonts used by AOL.
Posted by: Long-Time Chatter | Sep 29, 2006 6:31:03 PM
There won't be any defense from Republicans, not after these messages. The earlier ones were pretty innocent, but these messages seem to be illegal and I don't want anyone like that representing me. I'm sure most other Conservatives will say agree.
If he broke laws - prosecute!
Posted by: Emma Morrow | Sep 29, 2006 6:31:36 PM
This is appalling and unacceptable but it wasnt our president who did this and dont forget about your great congressmen too like the one in Louisiana who had 100k in his freezer!
Posted by: J | Sep 29, 2006 6:31:37 PM
Last one for me today-
I like what Num. 32:23 says-
But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.
Check out those words- and be sure your sin will find you out. Yup, the word of God lives on !
Posted by: Richard Forinash | Sep 29, 2006 6:32:21 PM
As a conservative, there's no defense at all from me. Let this guy fry. No excuses. If this stuff is true, I for one won't be trotting out a left wing conspiracy. Sexual predators should never walk the street again, regardless of party-religion-nationality or sexual orientation.
Posted by: steve | Sep 29, 2006 6:32:25 PM
There is nothing to defend. His legislation to protect kids is real however, it got passed, it protects kids etc. What this guy was doing will likely get him in jail however. talk about throwing away a career.
Posted by: repub1 | Sep 29, 2006 6:32:53 PM
This is really sad. Its an example of a gross abuse of power. It shouldn't be seen as a partisan issue, though when reading about it I can't help but feel a bit of irony.
Posted by: Clay | Sep 29, 2006 6:33:08 PM
Michael Savage just said that Foley shouldn't have had to resign, and he made the Clinton comparison. Claaaaaasssssy.
Posted by: motherlowman | Sep 29, 2006 6:33:56 PM
Some morons here make this a Repub vs. Dem issue. He's a pedophile. It doesn't matter what his politics are. Lock him up and anyone else who's a pervert from either side of the isle.
Posted by: george Stevenson | Sep 29, 2006 6:34:10 PM
Republicans won't scream about conspiracy theories or smear campaigns. They won't stand behind him just because he has an (R) next to his name. They will express their disgust and demand that he be held accountable, period.
Posted by: Mykelbe | Sep 29, 2006 6:34:13 PM
If they can prove that these internet chats came from the congressman, I will be the first Republican in line to ask that he be prosecuted to the fullest extend of the law.
This is improper behavior from ANYONE, no matter what party line they tow.
Posted by: Karen | Sep 29, 2006 6:34:28 PM
Foley should be tried convicted and do hard time with no special privilages. Put him in the general prison population. This is a huge betrayel of the public trust.
Posted by: bill | Sep 29, 2006 6:34:31 PM
Delay, Ney , now Foley. Looks as though another Republican cut and running. Who's next?
Posted by: Yert | Sep 29, 2006 6:34:33 PM
Let's NOT make this political. It is wrong no matter who the person is, race, gender or religion. Start bringing up Clinton and you show you care less about prosecuting the guilty, and the minors that are effected than your party affiliation. That in iteslf is sick. I am a conservative republican and if this man is guilty, I hope he is prosecuted and serves a lengthy sentence for his crimes once convicted.
Posted by: chris | Sep 29, 2006 6:34:58 PM
Yesterday, I agreed with the people who thought this guy was out of line. Who would even have TIME to chit chat with some kid like he was doing?? Meaningless bunk!
Well, so much for all those naive people who thought he was :"just taking an interest."
Think how "bullet proof" he must have felt, to dare to do such things. Just think about that.
Posted by: S. Sommer | Sep 29, 2006 6:35:30 PM
>>C'mon Repubs...let's see a defense!
Defense? Please. Let the guilty be punished, says I. Lock him away. And I think my fellow "Repubs" would agree.
Posted by: Kenny | Sep 29, 2006 6:35:33 PM
No, this isn't a dem/rep issue. My political beliefs begin with the premise that all politicians are snakes.
I haven't been disappointed yet.
Posted by: Joel | Sep 29, 2006 6:35:33 PM
no defense from this republican. put him away for a long time.
Posted by: william devan | Sep 29, 2006 6:35:42 PM
WHERE ARE THE APOLOGISTS NOW?
EGG ON YOUR FACE. OWNED!
This guy is disgusting, Republicans should be ashamed.
Posted by: Jack | Sep 29, 2006 6:36:29 PM
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