Feb 17, 2008 8:15 am US/Eastern
Republican Delegate Resigns After Investigation
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ―
There's scandal at the State House.
A state delegate, known as an advocate for children's rights, is the focus of a child pornography investigation after officers searched his Hagerstown home.
Kathryn Brown reports Robert McKee is not facing any charges right now, but he has resigned his position as both a state delegate and as executive director of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Club of Washington County.
In a statement, McKee said he is entering treatment to, "get well and stay well."
News that McKee is being investigated for child pornography traveled fast, sending shock waves through Hagerstown.
"It's kinda shocking," said Dan Shirk.
McKee resigned as a state delegate this week, two weeks after Washington County Police and the FBI seized several computers, about 30 video tapes and printed logs from his home.
"We need to protect our children, and if he was doing that, that's a bad thing. The worst thing to me is what you can do to a child," said Kay Clever.
McKee has been a state delegate for 19 years. This year he is sponsoring several bills that would tighten child predator laws.
According to his online bio, he is very active in Little League, junior basketball and is executive director of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Club of Washington County.
He has an adopted granddaughter through his work in the program.
"It's terrible to tell you the truth, stuff like that shouldn't even happen," said Anthony Johnson.
In a statement, McKee calls the investigation "deeply embarrassing," adding he has entered treatment.
Neighbors describe him as a good man and dedicated public servant.
"Oh, I'd say it's a shock. Every voicemail and email that I've gotten today, shock has been in probably 90 percent of them," said a neighbor.
Robert McKee has been active at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Club in Hagerstown for 29 years.
A spokesperson for the club declined to go on camera, sending a printed statement instead that said only McKee has resigned, and they plan to cooperate fully with any investigation.
McKee is not facing charges yet. The Washington County Sheriff says it will be several weeks before any potential charges would be filed.
The Washington County Republican Central Committee will make a recommendation to the governor for a replacement.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
WJZ.COM's Most Popular Slideshows
