NATION : Lukens Apologizes for ‘Mistake’
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FLETCHER, Ohio — Rep. Donald Lukens (R-Ohio) apologized today for “a dumb mistake” and announced that he is actively seeking reelection even though his appeal on a conviction of having sex with a teen-ager is pending.
“We don’t have much time,” he said in making his announcement. The GOP primary election is Tuesday.
He had said since his conviction last May that he would not decide on his political future until after the outcome of his appeal. Although he filed for reelection to put his name on the ballot, he had not campaigned and never announced he was running.
The 59-year-old divorced congressman was convicted of a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the unruliness of a minor. He was accused of paying a girl to have sex with him at his Columbus apartment in November, 1988, when she was 16.
A judge sentenced Lukens to 30 days in jail and fined him $500. He has been free on bond pending his appeal.
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