In a quiet finish to a case that blew up in the face of Senate Republicans last year, the Senate Ethics Committee has found that Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) acted wrongly in the matter of his arrest in an airport sex sting operation in Minneapolis.

The panel found fault with Craig's effort to withdraw his guilty plea after it surfaced in the press, saying in a letter to the Idaho Republican:

"We consider your attempt to withdraw your guilty plea to be an attempt to evade the legal consequences of an action freely undertaken by you - that is, pleading guilty."

The Ethics panel fully accepted the basis for Craig's arrest on disordely conduct charges and that Craig entered a "guilty plea freely and voluntarily."

In a statement emailed to reporters, Craig said "While I am disappointed and strongly disagree with the conclusions reached the Senate Ethics Committee, from the outset I have encouraged the Committee to act in a timely fashion and they have done so.  I will continue to serve the people of Idaho."

Craig, of course, had said he would resign from the Senate, but then went back on that public vow.  His term ends in early January of 2009.

Craig also drew a slight rebuke in the committee's letter for using money from his Senate campaign fund to pay his legal expenses.

"It is clear that you never sought the committee's approval, as required," said the Ethics panel letter.

One more jab at Craig was knocking him for showing the police officer who arrested him a U.S. Senate business card.

"You knew or should have known that a reasonable person in the position of the arresting officer could view your action and statement as an improper attempt by you to use your position and status" in an effort receive "special and favorable treatment."