Craig to ask to withdraw guilty plea from sex sting

WASHINGTON — Sen. Larry Craig will file court documents today asking to withdraw his guilty plea in a sex sting that seems likely to end his career, his attorney said.

Craig, an Idaho Republican, pleaded guilty in August to disorderly conduct following a sting operation in a men's bathroom at the Minneapolis airport.

He has said he regrets that decision, which he said he made hastily and without talking to an attorney. He said he was under stress and pleaded guilty only to put the matter behind him.

Attorney William Martin said Sunday night that a request to withdraw that plea would be filed today. Such requests are rarely granted. Martin would not discuss the argument he planned to make in court.

Craig originally announced he would resign at the end of the month, then said he was reconsidering that decision. If Craig succeeds in undoing his plea, he would likely try to have the charges dismissed to avoid an embarrassing trial.

A police report alleged that Craig had solicited sex from a male officer at the Minneapolis airport in June.