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NH House Majority Leader Steps Down Amid Internship Controversy

CONCORD, N.H. (CBS/AP) — New Hampshire House Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt resigned Sunday amid allegations he falsely reported his work history to the University of New Hampshire School of Law.

Rep. Brandon Giuda had threatened to release documents showing that Bettencourt, a Republican, falsely claimed he completed an 11-week internship at Giuda's law office, according to the Concord Monitor. Giuda said Bettencourt only showed up once and did an hour of work.

Bettencourt graduated last weekend from the University of New Hampshire School of Law and is getting married next week.

Bettencourt was the youngest House Majority Leader in New Hampshire history when he was elected to the position before the 2011-2012 session at the age of 26.

He said Friday his departure from the Legislature will allow him to focus on his new job as executive director of the New Hampshire Legal Rights Foundation, a nonprofit legal advocacy group.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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