Congressman Eric Massa said he will resign effective at 5 p.m. Monday.

On Sunday, the embattled congressman detailed the events he believes led to the sexual harassment complaint against him.

On his weekly radio show on Power 105.3 WKPQ Massa said to this day the Ethics Commission has not mentioned a word to him about its investigation.

He says he only started putting the pieces together after rumors surfaced about why he wasn't seeking re-election.

Massa maintained it was because of his health. He admits the comments that he made to a male staffer at another staff member's New Years Eve wedding were inappropriate.

"I sat down at the table where my whole staff was, all of them by the way bachelors. One of them looked at me and as they would do, I don't know after 15 gin and tonics and goodness only knows how many bottles of champagne, a staff member made an intonation to me that maybe I should be chasing after the bridesmaid,” explains Massa. “His points were clear and his words were far more colorful than that, and I grabbed the staff member sitting next to me and said, ‘Well pal, what I really ought to be doing is fracking you.’ and then tussled the guy’s hair, and left, went to my room because I knew the party was getting to the point where I didn't need to be there."

Massa also suggested the House Ethics Committee investigation may be politically motivated because he says his vote is the deciding vote on the health care bill.

Constituents React to State Political Woes

Congressman Eric Massa's decision to resign and other recent reports of scandals have been plaguing state politics. People at a local cafe say they want to see solutions, not more problems.

It's a typical afternoon at the Bagel Bin. But this Sunday the topic on the table centered on the resignation of Congressman Eric Massa.

"I don't think he's well serving the folks of the district by resigning," said Tom Low of Rochester. "I mean if you're not going to run, then don't run but at least stick it out.”

"He brought in projects and money," said Bob Berkman of Rochester. "He seemed like a fairly, popular, powerful figure for this region, so it's bad that he's leaving.”

Low and others say they are surprised by Massa's decision.

"I've met the man a couple of times and was always impressed with him being a straight up, workaholic kind of representative," said Low. "It surprises me that he's bailing out early before a full investigation."

Massa's decision comes after word that a House ethics panel would investigate a claim against him.

"I think he did make a refreshingly good statement where he said the problem was of my own making," said Berkman. "Without getting into the details, he took responsibility."

Low says although there are still unanswered questions, there's also a seat that will need to be filled.

"As far as Maggie Brooks goes, she doesn't live in the district," said Low. "The whole point is to represent your district."

Constituents at the cafe say ethical issues need to be fixed at the state level as well. Three of Governors Paterson’s aides have recently resigned, and the governor has his own ethics investigations.

"It just seems to be the latest reflection of a long-term dysfunction in Albany and it's so hard to turn that around," said Berkman.

But even with recent reports of scandals across New York State, many believe there's still hope.

"I think that when we vote, we should just vote for people who have the time, motivation and energy to dedicate to this job," said Marina Mathew of Pittsford.

"New Yorkers are resilient, we don't give up," said Srini Venkatesh of Pittsford. "There's time for change, but it's time now."

Sorting Out the Replacement Process

With Congressman Eric Massa's resignation taking effect Monday, a long list of candidates hoping to replace him is already taking shape.

The most likely scenario is that the governor will call a special election, which could happen as early as the next six weeks. That's too soon to hold a primary, so party chairmen from each of the eight counties in the 29th Congressional District will get together and vote.

Ontario County Republican Chairman Jay Dutcher has an important decision to make. Dutcher is one of seven county Republican Party chairmen in the 29th Congressional District. He is preparing to pick a candidate for a potential special election.

"Well, it's a pretty straight forward process," said Dutcher.

The 29th Congressional District includes parts of Monroe, Ontario, and six other counties to the south.

"Most of the constituents are in the Southern Tier," said Dutcher.

The party chairmen's votes are weighted based on the last gubernatorial election. It's a breakdown that appears to favor one candidate.

“Right now, the information is that seven out of the eight counties in the 29th Congressional District are going to back Tom Reed as the Republican candidate," said Bill Nojay, radio talk show host.

The former Corning mayor announced his candidacy in July, but Monroe County GOP Chair Bill Reilich is asking his peers to reconsider.

"Fifty-two percent of the district is reached by the Monroe County media, so 52 percent of the district knows who Maggie is," said Reilich.

Reilich met Saturday with Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks to discuss a possible run. With Monroe County representing 39 percent of the vote, she'll need some help.

"No, I don't think I'll feel pressure because I'm not subject to pressure really," said Dutcher.

If Dutcher were to team up with Reilich, Reed's grip on the nomination could be flipped. Dutcher says that's not likely.

"I know Maggie and I know Tom, and I think Tom is a very strong candidate for this position," said Dutcher.

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks is expected to address her political future on Monday.

Former Congressman Randy Kuhl, who held the seat before losing to Massa in 2008, and State Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb are also considered candidates on the Republican side.

Kolb said at this point that he's got enough work to do.

"I've had a lot of calls to really encourage me to run, but really I’ve said to everyone that's called that it's very flattering, but my focus is really on the budget, and we have a lot of work to do in New York State," said Kolb.

Monroe County Democratic Chairman Joe Morelle confirms he has approached District Attorney Mike Green about running for the 29th Congressional seat.

There is no response from Green as to whether he's interested.

Other names on the Democratic side include Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan, former Bausch and Lomb executive David Nachbar, and Brighton Town Supervisor Sandra Frankel.

Two members of the New York State Assembly are also on the list: Barbara Lifton of the 125th District and David Koon of the 135th District.

Massa, a Democrat, issued a statement on his web site saying he is resigning effective Monday at 5 p.m.

The freshman congressman from Corning cites a house ethics panel investigation as the reason for his resignation.

In an online statement Massa said, "There is no doubt that this ethics thing is my fault and mine alone....God knows that I am a deeply flawed and imperfect person."

The statement goes onto say that he resigns "with a profound sense of failure and a deep apology to all those whom, for the past year, I tried to represent as our nation struggles with problems far greater than anyone can possibly imagine. I hope that my family, constituents, and fellow Members of Congress can accept this apology as being both genuine and heartfelt and I wish for them and all Americans only the best."

Earlier this week, Massa had announced he would not seek re-election due to health concerns, which he also addresses in the statement.

To read Congressman Massa's resignation statement in full, go to his web site:

Congressman Eric Massa.