NEW YORK—U.S. Rep. Eric Massa is set to resign his congressional seat on Monday.

Massa, a Democrat representing New York's 29th District, is being charged with allegedly sexually harassing a male staffer. Citing health concerns as well as an ethics probe into his conduct, he admitted wrongdoing in a statement published on his website.

“In fact, there is no doubt that this ethics issue is my fault and mine alone,” he said in the statement.

“After I decided not to run again I was told, for the first time, that a member of my staff believed I had made statements that made him feel 'uncomfortable,'” the congressman said.

On March 3, Massa announced that he would step down from seeking re-election due to health concerns. He decided to resign altogether after hearing that an ethics panel would be investigating the allegations.

The congressman said that “with the destruction of our elected leaders having become a blood sport, especially in talk radio and on the internet, there is also no doubt that an ethics investigation would tear my family and my staff apart.”

"My difficulties are of my own making. I am also aware that blogs and radio will have a field day with this in today's destructive and unforgiving political environment," he added.

Massa assumed the office in 2008. The congressman, who served in the U.S. Navy for 24 years, said that his words and actions “failed to meet the standards,” and that he holds himself accountable.

He was one of the 39 House Democrats who voted against the health care reform that passed in the House last year.

Massa's departure shifts the power in the Democratic caucus. There are currently 253 Democrats and 178 Republicans in the House.

His resignation follows Rep. Charles Rangel’s (D-NY) decision to step down from leading the House Committee on Ways and Means last week.

Read the original story at The Epoch Times