White House party-crasher Tareq Salahi has quit the state tourism board.
In a letter Monday to Gov. Timothy M Kaine, Salahi said "the extraordinary misinformation resulting in the unfortunate negative and tabloid-type media" surrounding the couple's Nov. 24 appearance at the White House "could possibly be a distraction to all the good work" of the tourism board.
"It is with the hope of the continued success of the Virginia Tourism Corp. that I tender my resignation effective immediately," said Salahi.
Kaine appointed Salahi to the panel in 2006 for a six-year term.
Salahi and wife, Michaele, snuck into President Barack Obama's first state dinner for the Indian prime minister on Nov. 24.
Though he never demanded Salahi's resignation, Kaine criticized the couple for what some have viewed as a publicity stunt. The Salahis have been angling for a spot in a reality show.
The Senate Republican floor leader, Thomas Norment, whose district includes tourism magnet Colonial Williamsburg, last week wrote Kaine, urging him to remove Salahi from the VTB.
Salahi's trouble with state authorities continue. Virginia is investigating whether his charitable foundation -- one that promotes polo -- is properly registered with the state.
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