Patrick Byrne has resigned as the CEO of Overstock following comments he made about the “deep state,” and his relationship with Russian agent Maria Butina.

Over the past few weeks, Byrne has detailed his alleged involvement in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, to several journalists, including two from the Washington Examiner.

The 57-year-old multimillionaire said he engaged in a sexual relationship with Butina at the encouragement of the FBI, but did not rekindle the romantic aspect of their relationship when asked to do so as the Russia investigation progressed. Byrne said he had been swept up in “political espionage.”

The e-commerce retailer then issued a news release titled “Overstock.com CEO Comments on Deep State” that led the company’s shares to plummet more than 30%.

“In July I came forward to a small set of journalists regarding my involvement in certain government matters. Doing so was not my first choice, but I was reminded of the damage done to our nation for three years and felt my duty as a citizen precluded me from staying silent any longer,” Byrne said in a statement Thursday.

“So, I came forward in as carefully and well-managed fashion as I could. The news that I shared is bubbling (however haphazardly) into the public. Though patriotic Americans are writing me in support, my presence may affect and complicate all manner of business relationships, from insurability to strategic discussions regarding our retail business. Thus, while I believe that I did what was necessary for the good of the country, for the good of the firm, I am in the sad position of having to sever ties with Overstock, both as CEO and board member, effective Thursday August 22,” the statement said.

Jonathan Johnson has been appointed to serve as interim CEO of the company founded by Byrne in 1999.

Butina, who was not charged with espionage, was sentenced in April to 18 months in prison. She is the only Russian national arrested in the government’s investigation into Moscow's interference in the 2016 election, though charges were not brought against her by former special counsel Robert Mueller.

In July, Butina's lawyer Robert Driscoll accused the Justice Department of hiding the role of Byrne in their surveillance and investigation of his client.