Another Gay Sex Scandal Jolts Washington State GOP

Olympia, Washington (AHN) - A Republican state legislator resigned Wednesday amid revelations that he had a tryst with a man he met at a pornographic video store over the weekend. Rep. Richard Curtis, 48, has actively opposed gay rights since he was elected to office in 2004.

Curtis called police on October 28, after Cody Castagna, 26, a waiter in Spokane, Washington, blackmailed him.

The two men met at the Hollywood Erotic Boutique two nights prior, while Curtis was in town for a Republican party retreat. They later traveled to the exclusive Davenport Tower Hotel, where they had sex. Afterwards, Rep. Curtis fell asleep, according to police documents. Castagna left with Curtis' wallet and later attempted to extort money from the lawmaker in exchange for its return. Curtis instead went to the police and reported the incident.

Castagna contends Curtis reneged on a promise to pay $1,000 for sex.

There have been no arrests in the case.

In 2005 and 2006, Rep. Curtis voted against a bill granting civil rights protections to gays and lesbians. In 2007, he opposed a move to legalize domestic partnerships for same-sex couples. Both measures eventually passed the state legislature and are now codified Washington state law.

Curtis, who is married and has children, resigned from his position on Wednesday. "The incident has been damaging to my family," he said, "and I don't want to subject them to any additional pain that might result from carrying out this matter under the scrutiny that comes with holding public office."

County Republican leaders will choose a successor, to serve until the 2008 election.