California state Sen. Ron Calderon announced on Sunday that he will be taking a voluntary leave of absence amid pending corruption and bribery charges, NBC Southern California reported.
In February, Calderon (D-Montebello) was charged with mail fraud, wire fraud, honest services fraud, bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering and aiding in the filing of false tax returns.
"This is not a resignation since I still have my day in court," Calderon, 56, said in a statement. "However, due to the nature and complexity of the charges, and the discovery materials that I will have to review, I expect this to be a lengthy period of absence continuing until the end of the session in August."
On Sunday night, Sen. President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) accepted Calderone's indefinite leave of absence.
"I have accepted his request," Steinberg said in a two-sentence statement.
According to prosecutors, the senator accepted $28,000 in bribes from Michael D. Drobot, former owner of the now-closed Pacific Hospital of Long Beach, to support legislation that "delay or limit changes in California's workers' compensation laws relating to the amount of medical care providers are reimbursed for performing spinal surgeries."
Calderon is also accused of paying his daughter $39,000 for a fake office job and $30,000 for his son's schooling.
On Feb. 24, Calderon plead not guilty in an arraignment.
In addition to Calderon's case, Sen. Roderick Wright, a Democrat who represents a district in Los Angeles, was convicted of perjury and voter fraud. He faces sentencing in May.
