Republican Senator in Gay Sex Scandal

Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) was arrested June 11 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for "lewd conduct." According to the arrest report, Craig tried to solicit sex with a plainclothes police officer in a public restroom.

The arresting officer alleged that Craig lingered outside a rest room stall where the officer was sitting, then entered the stall next door and blocked the door with his luggage.

According to the arrest report cited by Roll Call, Craig tapped his right foot, which the officer said he recognized "as a signal used by persons wishing to engage in lewd conduct."

The report alleges Craig then touched the officer's foot with his foot and the senator "proceeded to swipe his hand under the stall divider several times," according to Roll Call.

At that point, the officer said he put his police identification down by the floor so Craig could see it and informed the senator that he was under arrest, before any sexual contact took place.

Craig pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct in the Hennepin County District Court on August 8 and paid more than $500 in fines and fees. A 10-day jail sentence was stayed. He also was given one year of probation.

However, Craig now says he regrets his guilty plea, "At the time of this incident, I complained to the police that they were misconstruing my actions. 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."

Senator Craig is married with three grown children and nine grandchildren. Internet blogger Mike Rogers claimed last fall that the senator is gay but Craig's office dismissed the speculation as "completely ridiculous."

In 1982, Craig was rumored to be under investigation as part of a federal probe into allegations that lawmakers on Capitol Hill had sexual relationships with congressional pages.

Craig's voting record on gay and lesbian issues have made him a star among conservative groups such as the American Family Association, Concerned Women for America and the Family Research Council, and equally hated among gay rights groups.

- He voted YES on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
- He voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
- He voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
- He voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
- He voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996).