Rep. Patrick Meehan announced Friday that he is resigning from Congress to end the Ethics Committee’s investigation into allegations he sexually harassed a former staffer.

The Pennsylvania Republican said he intends to repay the $39,000 in taxpayer dollars used to settle the harassment case with the staffer within the next 30 days. He had already announced he would not run for re-election following the allegations.

“While I do believe I would be exonerated of any wrongdoing, I also did not want to put my staff through the rigors of an Ethics Committee investigation and believed it was best for them to have a head start on new employment rather than being caught up in an inquiry,” Meehan said in a statement. “And since I have chosen to resign, the inquiry will not become a burden to taxpayers and committee staff.”

Meehan’s resignation will take effect Friday. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has 10 days to declare a special election, which must occur at least 60 days after the governor’s announcement. The nominees for a special election are chosen by party leaders, rather than through a direct primary election.

A race is already underway for Meehan’s open seat in the Philadelphia suburbs, which became much more favorable to Democrats after the state Supreme Court imposed a new congressional map. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race Likely Democratic.