Rep. Doolittle to retire at end of term

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif., facing legal and political problems over ties to jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff, said Thursday he will retire at his term's end.

Doolittle, who repeatedly denied rumors during the last several months that he would step down, will leave at the end of the 110th Congress, CBS reported.

Doolittle did not mention an ongoing Justice Department criminal investigation into of his ties to the imprisoned Abramoff when he announced his plans in Washington. FBI agents raided Doolittle's home last year, prompting Republican leaders to force him off the Appropriations Committee. At the time, Doolittle had vowed to clear his name and seek re-election.

"I plan to complete my term and finish my congressional service at the conclusion of this Congress," Doolittle said. "It was not my initial intent to retire, and I fully expected to and planned to run again right up until very recently."

He said he and his family were "at peace with this choice and look forward to starting a new chapter in our lives."