(CNN) Robin Hayes, the embattled chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, announced Wednesday that he will stay on as the leader of the party despite being indicted on federal bribery charges.

Hayes will, however, hand over the day-to-day responsibilities of the unpaid position to Aubrey Woodard, the 11th District Chair, while he deals with his legal issues.

"In the best interest of the party, I make this announcement today and will let our respected officers lead on a temporary basis until our regularly planned party elections this June," Hayes said.

The comments from Hayes were his first since federal prosecutors accused him and three associates of bribery and corruption. A day before the indictments were unsealed, Hayes announced he would not seek re-election as chairman. The party elects new officers at their convention in June.

An indictment unsealed in the US District Court for the Western District of North Carolina Tuesday accused Hayes, a prominent donor, and three others in an alleged scheme to bribe the state's insurance commissioner for favorable treatment of certain businesses.

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