Oklahoma lawmaker charged with child prostitution resigns
OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma legislator charged with hiring a 17-year-old boy for sex resigned on Wednesday, saying he didn’t want to be a distraction to his fellow lawmakers.
Republican Sen. Ralph Shortey was arrested last week on charges of engaging in child prostitution, transporting a minor for prostitution and engaging in prostitution within 1,000 feet of church. The 35-year-old married father submitted a resignation letter to the Senate and GOP Gov. Mary Fallin that said he would step down immediately.
“I appreciate the service the men and women of the Oklahoma Senate provide, and I recognize the need for the business of the Senate to proceed without distraction for the remainder of the legislative session,” Shortey said in the letter.
Oklahoma’s most prominent Republican leaders had called for his resignation after he was charged.