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U.S. Representative David Wu, a Democrat from the northwestern state of Oregon, has resigned over a sex scandal - becoming the third House member this year to step down because of controversy.

Wu submitted his resignation to the Oregon state governor and the speaker of the House, John Boehner, late Wednesday.

In a statement, he said serving in Congress had been the greatest honor of his life. He did not mention the scandal.

A newspaper in his home state reported that an 18-year-old woman said she had an unwanted sexual encounter with the 56-year-old lawmaker. The Oregonian quoted Wu as saying the encounter was consensual.

Wu announced last week that he would resign from office after Congress passed the debt-ceiling bill. President Obama signed the legislation into law Tuesday.

Two other House members - Democrat Anthony Weiner and Republican Chris Lee - have resigned in recent months over scandals involving suggestive photographs that were made public.

Source: AP, AFP and Reuters

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