A Senate ethics panel has officially admonished Sen. Larry Craig, saying he acted improperly during and after an airport bathroom sting.
The Senate Ethics Committee was displeased with Craig's actions after he was arrested for soliciting sex at a Minneapolis airport in June, according to a letter of admonition signed by all six members of the panel on Feb. 13.
Craig tried to withdraw his guilty plea and has appealed a judge's decision that his plea was accurate. The ethics panel, in a letter to Craig, wrote that they believe he 'committed the offense' and knew what he was doing when he plead guilty. They also wrote that his pleas of innocence 'do not appear credible.' His behavior 'reflected discreditably' on the Senate, they added,
'We consider your attempt to withdraw your guilty plea to be an attempt to evade the legal consequences of an action freely undertaken by you— that is, pleading guilty,' the letter said.
The panel also stated their disappointment in Craig for using campaign funds to pay his legal bills.
In a statement received by The Associated Press, Craig said he disagreed with the ethics committee.
No further action has been taken against Craig, who will continue to serve the rest of his term until it expires.