Rep. Radel Takes Leave of Absence Following Cocaine Plea
Sentenced to year of probation
Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., pleaded guilty Wednesday to possession of cocaine and tearfully told his constituents that he "let down our country" and will take a leave from office.
Radel, who was sentenced to one year of supervised probation, said at an emotional 10:30 p.m. ET news conference in Cape Coral, Fla. that he will donate his salary to a charity during his leave. But he stopped short of saying he would resign.
He said he will go into "intensive" drug treatment. "This is my wake-up call, I have been struggling with this . . . I am getting the help I need."
