COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Evangelist Ted Haggard admitted Friday that he bought methamphetamine and received a massage from a gay prostitute who claims he was paid for drug-fueled trysts by the outspoken gay marriage opponent. Haggard resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals and step down as leader of his Colorado megachurch while the two groups investigate the allegations.
He denied the sex allegations but told reporters outside his home that he did buy the meth because he was curious, but he said he threw it away.
"I bought it for myself but never used it," he said. "I was tempted, but I never used it."
Haggard, 50, said he never had sex with Mike Jones, a 49-year-old male prostitute who sparked the scandals when he told a radio station he had had a three-year sexual relationship with the minister.
Haggard said he did get a massage from Jones after being referred to him by a Denver hotel.