COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP / WACH) -- South Carolina Rep. Thad Viers has resigned amid accusations that he harassed an ex-girlfriend.
Viers said Wednesday he is resigning effective immediately as prosecutors seek an indictment against him. The 34-year-old Myrtle Beach Republican says he must focus all of his effort on his defense.
He called it a "politically motivated matter over a few love letters."
Viers was arrested in January after his ex-girlfriend told investigators he continued to call, text, email and show up at her home and work for more than five months after they broke up.
Because Viers' ex-girlfriend is employed with the 15th Circuit Solicitor's Office in Horry County, the 4th Circuit Solicitor's Office in Marlboro County is handling the case.
Viers announced after his arrest that he was ending his bid for a congressional seat and also wouldn't run for his state House seat in 2012. He said then that he had no intention to step down early.
"In order to spare the South Carolina House of Representatives the embarrassment of having a member suspended from office, I'm doing the honorable thing and resigning, effective immediately. The circumstances surrounding the relationship with {my ex-girlfriend} over the past four, plus, years have taken a toll on both of our lives, and it's time for me to move on," Viers said.
(The Associated Press and WPDE contributed to this report.)
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