MINNEAPOLIS — A judge took Sen. Larry Craig’s request to withdraw his guilty plea under advisement Wednesday, and the Idaho Republican announced he will stay in office for the time being, omitting mention of an earlier commitment to resign Sept. 30.
Hennepin County Judge Charles Porter said he probably won’t rule until next month on Craig’s request, which stems from his earlier guilty plea in a men’s room sex sting at the Minneapolis airport.
Craig didn’t say just how long he planned to remain on the job.
“Today was a major step in the legal effort to clear my name,” Craig said. “The court has not issued a ruling on my motion to withdraw my guilty plea. For now, I will continue my work in the U.S. Senate for Idaho.”
Minnesota law allows guilty pleas to be withdrawn if a “manifest injustice” is shown. The term isn’t defined in law, leaving it to judges to decide.
Craig was arrested by an airport police officer who said Craig had behaved as though he was looking for sex.
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