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Rep. Radel reportedly planning to return to Congress after drug rehab

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., who was sentenced to a year's probation after pleading guilty to cocaine possession, plans to return to work, Politico reports.

Politico cited a source close to Radel who said the Florida congressman plans to be back in the House when the holiday break ends next week. Radel, who was arrested outside a Washington restaurant by an undercover federal agent, pleaded guilty Nov. 20 and spent almost a month in a drug rehabilitation clinic in Naples, Fla., after taking a leave of absence.

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The House Ethics Committee is investigating Radel's arrest.

Radel, 37, who trained as a comedian with Second City in Chicago, went on to become a TV and radio talk show host. He was elected to Congress in 2012 in Florida's 19th district in a heavily Republican area around Fort Myers.

His legal troubles have drawn potential Republican challengers. Connie Mack IV, who held the seat before running for the U.S. Senate in 2012, has hinted at a run, and the Tampa Bay Times reported a South Florida businessman has created a political action committee aimed at funding a Radel challenger.

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