Craig seeks to block ethics investigation

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Embattled U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, moved Wednesday to block a Senate ethics committee investigation of his arrest in an airport restroom sex sting.

Craig's maneuver follows reports he is reconsidering his plans to resign from the Senate, and could open an ugly battle between the Idaho Republican and the GOP Senate leadership, The New York Times reported.

Lawyers for Craig delivered a letter to the committee asking members to reject a complaint involving his guilty plea to disorderly conduct following the Minneapolis arrest. An undercover officer said Craig was signaling for sex in an airport men's room.

Craig spokesman Dan Whiting said his boss is fighting the ethics charges and the misdemeanor case -- a report says he may ask for his guilty plea to be withdrawn -- and if he is cleared by Sept. 30, the day of his planned resignation, "he may, and I emphasize may, not resign."

Five Republican leaders have recommended Craig be investigated by the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics.

Craig intends to serve the remainder of his term if he can get his guilty plea overturned, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Wednesday.

However, Politico.com reported, McConnell reiterated he thought Craig made the correct decision when he said he would resign.