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WEBVTT BRET: SENATOR SHORTY USE THEWORD, DISTRACTION AS A REASON, HE'S STEPPING DOWN.IT COMES DAYS AFTER THE STATESENATE VOTED TO SUSPEND HIM.DAYS AFTER STATE SENATOR RALSHORTEY TURNED HIMSELF IN AT THECLEVELAND COUNTY JAIL, HEANNOUNCES HE WILL NO LONGERSERVE IN THE OKLAHOMALEGISLATURE KOCO RECEIVED HISRESIGNATION LETTERS HE SENT TOGOVERNOR MARY FALLIN, PRO TEMPOF THE SENATE MIKE SCHULZ, ANDYOU, THANKING HIS CONSTITUENTSFOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.SHORTEY SAID BECAUSE I TAKE THATRESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY, IRECCOGNIZE THAT THE CHARGESAGAINST ME ARE A DISTRACTION TOTHEIR INTERESTS AND THEREMAINING LEGISLATIVE SESSION,WHICH SERVES ALL OKLAHOMANS.MY RESIGNATION IS EVIDENCE OF MYRESPECT FOR PUBLIC SERVICE ANDTHE DUTIES OF OUR ELECTEDOFFICIALS.I ASK RESPECT FOR THE PRIVACY OFMY FAMILY, MY WIFE AND 4DAUGHTERS, AS I DEFEND MYSELF OFTHESE CHARGES.THE 35-YEAR-OLD IS ACCUSED OFMEETING UP WITH A TEENAGER AT AMOORE MOTEL ROOM FOR SEXPRO TEMP SCHULZ RELEASED ASTATEMENT SAYING HE ACCEPTSSHORTEY'S RESIGNATION, SAYINGTHEY'LL CONTINUE TO COOPERATEWITH THE INVESTIGATION AND

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Oklahoma State Senator Ralph Shortey has resigned after being charged with child prostitution.Shortey was arrested last week on three felony charges. He resigned at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.Shortey's attorney confirmed he is expected to appear in court for his arraignment on Friday.Moore police said they found Shortey in a motel room with a 17-year-old boy earlier this month.Read Shortey's resignation letter to Gov. Mary FallinRead Shortey's resignation letter to Senate President Pro Tem Mike SchulzShortey released the following statement Wednesday:"Earlier today, I submitted my resignation, effective immediately, to the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, as well as to Gov. Mary Fallin. I thank the constituents of Senate District 44 for the opportunity they provided to serve. Because I take that responsibility seriously, I recognize that the charges against me are a distraction to their interests and the remaining legislative session, which should serve all Oklahomans. My resignation is evidence of my respect for public service and the duties of our elected officials. I ask respect for the privacy of my family -- my wife and four daughers -- as I defend myself of these charges."The Oklahoma State Democratic caucus released the following statement:“We are aware that Ralph Shortey has resigned his seat in the Oklahoma Senate. We are glad he has submitted his resignation effective immediately and that he made this decision in a fairly prompt and straightforward manner.The people of Senate District 44 deserve a senator they can rely on and respect. They deserve to replace him with a senator who will be focused on the needs and concerns of southwest Oklahoma City as quickly as possible.Therefore, we are calling on the governor to promptly set a special election at the earliest possible date to fill Ralph Shortey’s now vacant seat.Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all those affected by this situation.”