August 27, 2007
GOP Senator Craig Arrested For 'Lewd Conduct' In Bathroom
UPDATED.
Idaho Republican Sen. Larry Craig, one of the Senate's most conservative members and an opponent of gay rights, was arrested in June for an incident involving lewd conduct in a public men's room, Roll Call reports.
According to the report, Craig was arrested June 11 following a complaint of lewd conduct in a restroom at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. TPM has obtained the incident report, and so far the details appear to be tame.
"At 1216 hours, Craig tapped his right foot. I recognized this as a signal used by persons wishing to engage in lewd conduct. Craig tapped his toes several times and moves his foot closer to my foot," the officer states. After Craig "proceeded to swipe his hand under the stall divider several times," the officer flashed his identification card and informed the senator he was under arrest.
In a statement released hours after Roll Call's account was published, Craig denied he'd broken the law. "At the time of this incident, I complained to the police that they were misconstruing my actions. I was not involved in any inappropriate conduct," the statement read. "I should have had the advice of counsel in resolving this matter. In hindsight, I should not have pled guilty. I was trying to handle this matter myself quickly and expeditiously."
Craig pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct on Aug. 8 and paid more than $500 in fines and fees. A 10-day jail sentence was stayed, and he was given one year of probation that will expire Aug. 8, 2008. The senator's statement indicates he did not consult an attorney when he entered his plea. The Gate has requested comment from Craig's office; we'll update when we get more.
Craig was accused of being gay by an activist blogger last October, when Congress was embroiled in allegations that Florida Republican Rep. Mark Foley sent sexually explicit messages to congressional male pages. The blogger, Mike Rogers, said he had proof Craig had engaged in sex with other men, but never delivered on his promises.
Spokane Spokesman-Review editor Steve Smith said at the time that speculation Craig is gay dates back to the early 1980s, but that the paper never investigated because of the apparent absence of criminal wrongdoing. Craig called Rogers' allegations "completely ludicrous."
Posted at 6:40 PM
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Congress, Crime, Gay Rights, Senate
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