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Idaho Lawmaker Succumbs to Pressure to Resign over Rape Revelations

Republican Rep. Mark Patterson said Wednesday he'll resign from the Idaho Legislature after party colleagues from his Boise district urged him to quit amid revelations that he had pleaded guilty in 1974 to assault with intent to commit forcible rape.

Republican Rep. Mark Patterson said Wednesday he'll resign from the Idaho Legislature after party colleagues from his Boise district urged him to quit amid revelations that he had pleaded guilty in 1974 to assault with intent to commit forcible rape.

Patterson said he'll hand in his resignation to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter this week. The move came just hours after members of the GOP precinct committee in District 15, which Patterson represents, voted unanimously late Tuesday to ask him to step down.

The 39-year-old case in Florida came to light in early November when Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney revoked Patterson's concealed weapons permit on grounds that he didn't disclose the criminal case on his application.

In a brief statement, Patterson said Wednesday that he agreed with the District 15 committee's conclusion that in the current climate, his ability to serve had been called into question.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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