In Ohio, Rep. Radel's father says mom had problems

CINCINNATI (AP) — The father of a Florida congressman taking leave for substance abuse treatment says there is a family history of addictive behavior.

Henry “Skip” Radel says Rep. Henry “Trey” Radel called him in tears after his Oct. 29 arrest for buying cocaine in a Washington neighborhood. The elder Radel tells The Cincinnati Enquirer that the Republican congressman hasn’t been back to his native Cincinnati in some 18 months, but calls him every week.

Trey Radel on Wednesday announced he was taking a leave of absence from Congress to seek treatment for substance abuse. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor cocaine possession charge.

The elder Radel says Trey’s mother Kathy had alcohol issues. He says she choked to death at her son’s Dec. 31, 2009, wedding reception in Fort Myers, Fla.