Foley reveals
alleged abuser's name to diocese

Disgraced former U.S. congressman Mark Foley has revealed to the archdiocese of Miami the name of the Roman Catholic clergyman he says abused him as a teenager, a close friend of Foley's said Tuesday.

The name was not made public, and it was not immediately clear whether the person is still active in the church or is even still living.

Foley's civil attorney Gerald Richman was to make the announcement at a news conference Tuesday evening, the friend told the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the case.

According to the source, the church offered Foley counseling in the matter, which Foley accepted. He plans to begin that counseling after completing treatment for alcoholism.

The archdiocese declined immediate comment.

Foley, 52, a Florida Republican, resigned last month after he was confronted with sexually explicit instant messages he had sent teenage male pages. He has since entered an alcohol rehabilitation program at an undisclosed location. Through his lawyer, he has acknowledged that he is gay and denied any sexual contact with minors.

His abrupt departure left behind an Internet-age sex scandal that shook Republican confidence--and poll numbers--little more than a month before the midterm election at which GOP control of the House will be tested.

It also threw the spotlight on House speaker Dennis Hastert regarding conflicting claims about what senior lawmakers knew, when they learned it, and what they did about it.

Before the scandal, Foley was a popular incumbent in his West Palm Beach district who was easily expected to defeat Democrat Tim Mahoney. Now Mahoney is the favorite in the race.

Foley's name will remain on the ballot, but votes for him will go to his replacement, state representative Joe Negron. (Brian Skoloff, AP)