OLYMPIA, Wash. - A state legislator from southwest Washington resigned his seat Wednesday amid revelations that he had sex with a man he met at an erotic video store while in Spokane on a Republican retreat.

The move comes days after state Rep. Richard Curtis, R-La Center, insisted to his local newspaper that he was not gay and that sex was not involved in what he said was an extortion attempt by a man last week.

But in police reports Curtis alleges he was being extorted by a man he had sex with in a Spokane hotel room. The other man contends Curtis reneged on a promise to pay $1,000 for sex.

Curtis released the following written statement:

 "Today I submitted my letter of resignation to Governor Gregoire effective immediately. While I believe we've done some good and helped a lot of people during the time I served in the Legislature, events that have recently come to light have hurt a lot of people. I sincerely apologize for any pain my actions may have caused. 

"This has been damaging to my family, and I don't want to subject them to any additional pain that might result from carrying out this matter under the scrutiny that comes with holding public office."

GOP House Leader Richard DeBolt also released a written statement. 

"I am very disappointed by the news reports of the conduct by Rep. Curtis last week in Spokane. After discussing this matter with House Republican leaders, he has submitted his resignation, which we feel is best for everyone involved. The troubling details continue to emerge, however, it has become clear that he can no longer effectively represent the constituents who elected him. We pray that Richard and his family have the strength and support they need to meet the personal challenges they face."

Curtis is married and has children, according to his legislative Web site. Elected to the state House of Representatives in 2004, he has voted against gay rights legislation.

A Republican successor will be chosen by county Republican leaders, and will serve until the 2008 election. Washington State Republican Party Chairman Luke Esser released the following statement:

"Representative Curtis did the right thing by resigning today, as it was clear he could no longer effectively represent either the Republican Party or his constituents. We wish the Curtis family all the best as they work to rebuild their lives.

"Now we as a party must focus on our responsibilities to the citizens of the 18th District while we begin the process of selecting their next State Representative. I have already begun consulting with local party officials in Clark and Cowlitz Counties along with our House Republican leadership team and we are committed to working together with all deliberate speed to see this vacancy filled by an outstanding candidate. The 18th is a strong Republican district, and we are confident that our party will be able to hold unto this seat."

Police report: Sex, photos, cross-dressing

Rep. Richard Curtis

Curtis was among state GOP lawmakers who were in Spokane last Wednesday through Friday for a retreat to discuss the upcoming legislative session.

He went to the Hollywood Erotic Boutique in Spokane early on Oct. 26 and met Castagna, who accompanied him to the hotel, police documents released Tuesday said. The two arrived at the hotel around 3:34 a.m. and had sex, after which Curtis fell asleep, according to the documents.

Curtis alleged that Castagna took his wallet and later offered to return it for $1,000. Curtis said he only had $200 and left an envelope with the money at the hotel desk, the documents said.

Castagna called Curtis and demanded an additional $800, and threatened to expose Curtis, according to police reports. But Curtis had already contacted Spokane police, who listened to the call and then met with Castagna.

In his initial statement to police, Curtis denied offering money for sex, and denied having sex at all. He told officers he believed he had been slipped "some type of drug" because he did not have a clear recollection of events.

The police report added that Curtis told officers he only wanted his wallet back "and wanted to keep the incident as low key as possible." He did not want to pursue charges against Castagna, the report said.

In his only public comments previous to his resignation, Curtis told The Columbian newspaper of Vancouver, Wash., that he did not solicit anyone for sex.

"I committed no crime," Curtis told the newspaper Monday. "I did not solicit sex. I was trying to help somebody out."

Curtis, a former firefighter, declared, "I am not gay."

But as the investigation continued, police said Curtis admitted to having sex with Castagna in Curtis' hotel room.

According to the report, Curtis said he initially gave Castagna $100 as gas money, and said he did not consider that paying for sex.

Police interviewed several witnesses at the Hollywood Erotic Boutique, and according to the report, Curtis walked into a bathroom at the store early on the morning of Oct. 26 and a few minutes later left the bathroom wearing long red women's stockings and a black sequined lingerie top. A witness told police that shortly after that he saw a man with a cane performing a sexual act on Curtis in an upstairs room.

Police also interviewed Jalene Henneman, a Hollywood Exotic Boutique employee, who told them Curtis had been in the store three separate times in the past month, and called him "the cross dresser." Henneman said Curtis told her his wife knew he was gay, but that he only pursued sex with men when he was out of town, according to the report.

The police report said Curtis told the investigating detective by phone on the morning of Oct. 27 that he was in Cle Elum because he had wrecked his car on the drive home. Curtis also told the detective he "would have to tell his wife the truth and he would have to get a divorce attorney."

In 2005 and 2006, Curtis voted against a bill that granted civil rights protections to gays and lesbians.

In 2007, Curtis voted against a bill that created domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

Both measures eventually passed the Democratic-controlled state Legislature and are now part of state law.