A Florida state Rep. has resigned after admitting to sexting a female, married federal prosecutor with messages like “Sexxxy mama?”
“The events of the past week have been difficult for my family, for me and for everyone involved,” State Rep. Richard Steinberg (D) wrote in a statement on Friday. “After much consultation with my family, my friends and my colleagues in the Democratic caucus — and after some time for quiet, personal reflection — I have decided to resign, effective today, from my position as a member of Florida’s House of Representatives. ”
The Miami Herald first reported this week that Steinberg had used a fake Yahoo! account, with the name “itsjustme24680,” to send dozens of suggestive text messages to Assistant U.S. Attorney Marlene Fernandez-Karavetsos.
The U.S. Secret Service began investigating after Fernandez-Karavetsos reported the texts in August. Here’s one exchange, via the Herald:
“Sexxxy mama?” the first one read.
“How do I know you?” replied Fernandez-Karavetsos.
The texter declined to identify himself.
“Leave me alone,” she texted back.
“Is that anyway to treat a friend? LOL,” the texter replied.
In another exchange, Fernandez-Karavetsos tried to get the texter to identify himself, and he replied: “Considering we’re both married parents, probably best I not answer that at this point.”
After a subpoena, the Secret Service was able to trace the texts back to Steinberg, who copped to it on Wednesday: “I acknowledge and take full responsibility for sending inappropriate and unsolicited messages to Mrs. Marlene Fernandez-Karvetsos, whom I have known for more than 15 years,” he said. “I deeply regret and wholeheartedly apologize for the disrespect that I have shown her, her husband and my constituents.”
“Most importantly, words cannot express how sorry I am to my wife, for the disrespect I have shown her, and my entire family,” Steinberg added.
In an ironic twist, last week Steinberg voted in favor of a bill that expands the definition of “aggravated stalking” to include threats made via text or e-mail.
