SALISBURY, N.C. -- Former state legislator Coy C. Privette, who faces charges related to prostitution, has resigned as president of the Christian Action League, the group said.

Privette, 74, was suspended Thursday as president of the league until the court case is resolved. He resigned on Saturday, said the Rev. Mark Creech, the league's executive director.

"Because of the nature of the allegations, I believe it is in the best interest for me to resign so that the charges will not distract from the important work of the Christian Action League," Privette said in an e-mail sent to the league.

Privette, a Cabarrus County commissioner from Kannapolis, has also said he plans to step down from his leadership post with the State Baptist Convention of North Carolina. The retired Baptist minister is a former convention president who has been on the group's executive committee and board of directors.

Privette, a Republican, was charged with six counts of aiding and abetting prostitution by renting a hotel room and paying for sexual acts with 32-year-old Tiffany Denise Summers, who was charged with six counts of prostitution, according to arrest warrants. The state said all charges were misdemeanors.

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