McKee got a master's degree in business administration in 1991 from Frostburg State University, and is listed on his General Assembly Web page as a member of the First Christian Church.
A low-key presence in the legislature, McKee rarely spoke in committee hearings or in debates on the House floor. This was his 14th year in the House of Delegates, and many of his colleagues said yesterday that he was well-liked and known not as a partisan legislator but as someone willing to work amiably on assignments for the Ways and Means Committee.
House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell and Minority Whip Christopher B. Shank said in a joint statement that they were "deeply troubled and shocked to hear of the investigation" of McKee and believe his decision to resign was "appropriate."
"We are confident that the judicial system will thoroughly investigate this matter and take appropriate action as is warranted," the statement said and noted that the Washington County Republican Central Committee will meet soon to determine McKee's replacement.
His resignation is effective Monday, according to a letter he faxed to the office of House Speaker Michael E. Busch, who declined to comment on the resignation.
McKee was in Annapolis Thursday but left in the afternoon, removing some items from his office, according to two people who saw him leave. He did not attend the morning session at the State House yesterday and was also not in his office.
Several phone calls and e-mails to his home and office were not returned. The Republican caucus held a meeting yesterday morning, but numerous delegates declined to say what they discussed.
Rich Wolf, a spokesman for the Baltimore FBI office, said a cyber crimes unit is assisting in the investigation.
"We were asked to provide assistance, and we're doing so," he said.
Elaine Rose, president of the board of directors of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County Maryland, said in a statement that the local office was in contact with the national Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
"We are still in the process of understanding the nature of the investigation, and will cooperate fully with the investigation," she said.
Yesterday afternoon, a man and a woman knocked on the door at McKee's home in Hagerstown and announced they were from the Washington County sheriff's office. No one came to the door at the one-story ranch-style house with a neatly kept yard. The two departed in an unmarked car.
Some neighbors who were home yesterday expressed surprise that someone in their quiet community would face such charges.
"You never think about that around here," said Brett Ramsburg, who has lived around the corner from McKee's house for about two years and who has an 11-month-old daughter.
Keith Clowser, who said he holds a government job, said public employees are under increased scrutiny these days. "It's very surprising to me, but from what I understand they're cracking down," said Clowser, who has lived in the neighborhood for about 10 years, and has two daughters.
bradley.olson@baltsun.com tyeesha.dixon@baltsun.com
Sun reporters Timothy B. Wheeler and Laura Smitherman and the Associated Press contributed to this article.
