Fla. investigating Foley e-mails

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Florida officials have begun a criminal investigation of former Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., who resigned in a scandal over e-mail messages to Capitol Hill pages.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement opened a preliminary investigation shortly after Foley resigned Sept. 29, a spokeswoman told CNN. Kristen Perezuela said the agency found "a basis to open a criminal investigation."

"The e-mails are one thing we're looking into," she said.

Perezuela said the department continues to assist the FBI in its investigation of Foley.

Investigators are trying to determine whether Foley used computers in Florida to engage or solicit minors in illegal activities, CNN said. Foley's attorney, David Roth, has denied that Foley engaged in sexual activity with minors.

Foley, who was elected to Congress in 1994, resigned after revelations that he had sent sexually explicit e-mails and instant messages to teenage congressional pages.