Investigation ordered into Foley scandal

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. House voted unanimously earlier this week to order an investigation into the scandal surrounding former Rep. Mark Foley, who resigned Friday.

CNN reported the House decided on an Ethics Committee investigation into sexually explicit e-mails allegedly sent by Foley to underage Congressional pages.

The 52-year-old politician, who was a co-chairman of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus, resigned and left House Republicans struggling to find a candidate for Florida's 16th District in time for the November election.

Chairman of the House Page Board, Illinois Rep. John Shimkus, said he learned of Foley's online dalliances in late 2005 and confronted him regarding the matter, CNN said.

"We ordered Congressman Foley to cease all contact with this former House page to avoid even the appearance of impropriety," a statement from Shimkus said.

"It has become clear to me today, based on information I only now have learned, that Congressman Foley was not honest about his conduct."