Idaho senator pleads guilty to disorderly conduct

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Republican senator on Monday confirmed that he pleaded guilty earlier this month to a charge of disorderly conduct after he was arrested at a Minnesota airport.

Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho was arrested in June at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport by a plainclothes police officer investigating lewd conduct complaints in a men's toilet, the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call reported.

In a carefully worded statement, Craig made no mention of the incident that prompted his arrest or the charges brought against him.

"At the time of this incident, I complained to the police that they were misconstruing my actions. I was not involved in any inappropriate conduct," Craig said in a statement.

"I should have had the advice of counsel in resolving this matter. In hindsight, I should not have pled guilty. I was trying to handle this matter myself quickly and expeditiously."

Craig pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct on August 8 and paid more than $500 in fines and fees. He also was given one year of probation, Roll Call reported.

Craig, who is married, is in his third term and up for re-election next year. He is a former chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, the No. 4 leadership position in the Senate.

With a close margin, Democrats effectively have a 51-49 majority in the U.S. Senate.