Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Rep. Lee Resigns After Leaked Craigslist Correspondence
By
Garth Johnston
Published Feb 9, 2011
Modified Feb 9, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Feb 9, 2011
Modified Feb 9, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Earlier today, Gawker ran a story on upstate Republican congressman Chris Lee in which he sent some photos of himself—one shirtless—to a woman he met on Craigslist. In the e-mails he also told her he was a divorced 39-year-old lobbyist (he's married and 46). Honestly, we didn't think too much of it because in the age of Elliot Spitzer and John Edwards (not to mention European politicians like Silvio Berlusconi) a married pol seeking extracurricular lovin' is about as surprising as a hangover after a heavy night of drinking. But apparently Lee isn't as jaded as we are. His resignation notice, effective immediately, is already up on his website.
Lee was elected to the 26th district in 2008 and was re-elected in 2010. His resignation now triggers a special election, which Governor Cuomo can call at his discretion. Once he does call it, however, it must be held within 30 and 40 days. And for what it is worth, John McCain won the district in 2008 with 52 percent of the vote.
Tagged
26th district
AMATEUR POLITICIANS
chris lee
craigslist
gawker
scandal
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Doctors seek to save girl's hand after firework blast at Staten Island park, friend says
Neighbors described seeing the girl with the firework just before it exploded.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Aug 12, 2026 at 5:10 p.m. ET
Cyclists to Mamdani: Electric Citi Bikes are way too expensive
Street safety advocates say lowering the cost of riding zippy two-wheelers would align with the mayor's affordability agenda.
By
Stephen Nessen
News
Cyclists to Mamdani: Electric Citi Bikes are way too expensive
Street safety advocates say lowering the cost of riding zippy two-wheelers would align with the mayor's affordability agenda.
By
Stephen Nessen
2 Brooklyn men indicted in Coney Island mass shooting that wounded 8
By
Giulia Heyward
Gov. Hochul says NYS will help provide lawyers to unaided migrant children
By
Arya Sundaram
Is 'woke' a joke? AOC sparks debate among NYC progressives about liberal excess.
By
Elizabeth Kim
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .