Foley Could Avoid Criminal Charges in Underage Congressional Page Probe

Oct. 5, 2006 — -- Lurid, explicit e-mails and instant messages to underage congressional pages may have ended former Florida Rep. Mark Foley's political career, but he may never face criminal charges.

FBI and Florida state officials are investigating whether Foley, 52, violated any laws with his communication with young pages.

Foley, who represented Florida for 12 years in Congress and was best known as a protector of children as chairman of the Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus, resigned Sept. 29 after ABC News questioned him about sexually explicit online messages he had sent to current and former congressional pages under the age of 18.

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Despite Foley's resignation -- and the potential political fallout of the scandal surrounding his Internet messages -- experts say it may be difficult for investigators to bring a criminal case against the disgraced former congressman.

"Based upon what I've seen, he had inappropriate communication with underage pages, but I haven't seen anything -- no specific action -- where Foley specifically solicited anyone to commit unlawful acts," said California-based defense lawyer Steve Cron.

"It sounded more like it was childish teasing, titillating communication that was meant to excite and entertain. Was what he did immoral and duplicitous, considering he had a reputation as such a family, law-and-order type of guy? Sure. But I'm not convinced he committed a crime," Cron said.

At least one former page, according to ABC News' Brian Ross Unit, has reportedly offered evidence that Foley sought to solicit sex during instant-message exchanges over the Internet.

Officials told ABC News that they suspected Foley's extensive knowledge of child-exploitation laws might have helped guide him as to how far he could go without violating the law.

Instant messages obtained by ABC News suggest that Foley met or arranged meetings with former male pages under the age of 18.

One instant message from Foley, who used the screen name "Maf54," indicates that he met a page in San Diego, but it does not reveal specifically what transpired between them:

Maf54: I miss you lots since san diego.

Teen: ya I cant wait til dc

Maf54: :)

Teen: did you pick a night for dinner

Maf54: not yet … but likely Friday

Teen: ok … ill plan for Friday then

Maf54: that will be fun