THE WORST KEPT SECRET IN AMERICA IS NOW OUT...AND MORE!

Former Congressman Mark Foley is gay. He also claims that he was molested by a clergyman during the 1960s.

The dual revelations came in a statement released Tuesday through Foley's attorney, David Roth.

While the disgraced congressman's sexual orientation has been rumoured for years, it is the first time that he has addressed the issue fully.

Foley, who resigned from the House of Representatives last week following a confrontation by collegues regarding inappropriate and, in some cases, sexually explicit e-mails and instant messages with congressional pages, is currently undergoing rehab for alcoholism and mental illness at an undisclosed location.

Foley was raised in a devout Roman Catholic family and was an altar boy at his church. However, details of the clergyman's name, religious denomination, and where the sexual contacts took place were not mentioned. Attorney Roth said that his client wants to release those details but is being advised not to until he completes his rehab.

The Lake Worth resident's announcement also stated that he has never had sexual relations with a minor, and that he accepted full responsibility for his actions.

Here is more from today's Palm Beach Post. And more from the Miami Herald and Fort Lauderdale's South Florida Sun Sentinel.