Del. Phil Hamilton resigns

NORFOLK, Va. - Del. Phillip Hamilton, a senior Republican dogged by a federal investigation and a state ethics probe, has resigned.

Hamilton's resignation was effective at midnight.

Hamilton also issued the following statement Monday:

It was an honor and a privilege to represent the people of the 93rd District for the past 21 years. As their Delegate, I worked hard to improve the quality of life for them and for all citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
At the request of my family, the time has come for me to explore new opportunities in my life.
I will always cherish the opportunity to serve the people of Newport News, James City County, and the entire Commonwealth as an elected representative in the Virgionia House of Delegates. I will always remain in their debt.

He represented Newport News in the House of Delegates for 21 years before narrowly losing his re-election bid earlier this month to Democrat Robin Abbott.

Hamilton, the top Republican on the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, is the subject of investigations by a House ethics panel and a federal grand jury.

The probe focuses on allegations that he arranged a $40,000-a-year job for himself at Old Dominion University as he steered hundreds of thousands of dollars in appropriations to the Norfolk school.

Related Link:

READ THE LETTER submitted by Hamilton to the Clerk of the Virginia House.