OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A Republican state senator facing felony child prostitution charges after police say he solicited sex from a 17-year-old boy plans to resign from his seat, his attorney said late Monday.
Attorney Ed Blau said he’d recently been retained by Sen. Ralph Shortey and that it was premature to comment on the charges until he had more time to discuss the case with his client.
“Other than the probable cause affidavit that was released publicly, I haven’t seen a single police report or talked to a single witness,” Blau said.
Blau said he expects a not-guilty plea will be entered on Shortey’s behalf when he makes his initial appearance in court later this week. The attorney also said Shortey intends to resign by Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, the FBI and U.S. Secret Service in Oklahoma City both confirmed Monday they have joined the investigation into Shortey.