Recipient of Lee's photo speaks out

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Former Congressman Chris Lee lost his shirt and his congressional career.

News 4 has learned that 34-year-old Yesha Callahan was the recipient of the now infamous photo that forced Lee's resignation.

But this apparently wasn't his first time Lee's behavior was called into question.

News 4 has learned former congressman Chris Lee has fled to his father's home in Florida and that his wife has joined him there.

Back in 2008, Lee was all smiles on election night when he won the seat that was held for 10 years by Tom Reynolds. With his family by his side, the republican political newcomer ran a "family values" platform. Lee even talked about passing legislation to educate children on Internet safety.

By now, the world has seen this photo which went viral Wednesday, causing the congressman to resign.

Lee apparently sent the photo to a 34 year-old Yesha Callahan on Craigslist. She told another Internet site Friday that after a few messages were exchanged, she entered his name on Google and was shocked.

Lee's campaign manager says the former congressman did make bad decisions, but stands by the fact that nothing Lee did was illegal.

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Erie County GOP Chair Nick Langworthy said, "Chris lee has committed no crimes, Chris is not Eliot Spitzer of one of those individuals, he's made some foolish decisions."

Langworthy said he has spoken with the former congressman. He wouldn't go into detail about that conversation, but says he offered his support.

Langworthy said, "This is someone that's had some failings in his marriage and personal life."

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Politico.com is reporting that last year House Speaker John Boehner warned several freshman lawmakers, including Lee, to stop partying with female lobbyists.

Langworthy said, "There's people that enjoy nightlife and there's people that don't, and Chris was a guy who did enjoy nightlife."

The woman on the other end of the picture told the Washington Post that she stopped emailing Chris Lee after he asked her to send a racy photo of herself, and that she went forward with the story with encouragement from her family and friends.