ATLANTA — Georgia's powerful House speaker has resigned after a suicide attempt and allegations by his ex-wife of an affair with a lobbyist.
Speaker Glenn Richardson says in a statement issued Thursday by the House communications office that his resignation takes effect Jan. 1.
He had won sympathy from even his political enemies when he revealed last month that he had attempted suicide by swallowing sleeping pills. But then his ex-wife went on TV and accused him of having "a full-out affair" with a lobbyist while they were still married.
The 49-year-old was once thought to be a serious contender for governor. He had been silent since his ex-wife claimed this week that he slept with a lobbyist pushing a $300 million pipeline bill he was co-sponsoring.