PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox is resigning from his leadership post and will not run for re-election, he said on Saturday, a day after federal and state authorities raided his Statehouse office and home as part of a criminal investigation that they would not detail.
“Because of the respect I have for all members of the House of Representatives, I am resigning as speaker,” Fox said in a written statement emailed to reporters. “The process of governing must continue and the transition of leadership must be conducted in an orderly manner.”
The 52-year-old Providence Democrat said he planned to serve out the remainder of his term, but “my personal focus going forward will be on my family and dealing with the investigation.”
The Friday raids were carried out by the U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI, IRS and state police. Boxes of evidence were carried off, but officials have not said whom or what they are investigating.
