(AP) - Mayor Peter Cammarano III resigned onFriday, a week after vowing to stay in office and fight federalcorruption charges against him.

Cammarano, who took office just three weeks ago following arunoff election, was snared last week in a sweeping federalcorruption probe that resulted in the arrests of 44 people,including rabbis and dozens of public officials.

The 32-year-old - Hoboken's youngest mayor - sent a letter tothe city clerk on Friday saying his resignation was effective atnoon.

"I apologize to the residents of Hoboken for the disruption anddisappointment this case has caused," he said in the letter.

Cammarano, an election-law attorney, is accused of accepting$25,000 in bribes in exchange for help on a purported high-risebuilding project in the city. He is the second elected official toresign in the wake of the arrests.

In his letter and through his attorney, he reiterated hisinnocence and said he still intends to fight the charges.

"It became clear in the past six or seven days that, given thecontroversy surrounding his case, he could not perform hisduties," said Cammarano attorney Joseph Hayden. "It was injuriousto Hoboken government for him to stay in there, not to mention thefact that the controversy was a burden on his family."

Gov. Jon Corzine had praised Cammarano as a rising star in theDemocratic Party. But that turned to disgust after Cammarano'sarrest and Corzine announced on Thursday that the mayor wouldresign.

City Council President Dawn Zimmer, who lost a June 10 runoffelection to Cammarano by 161 votes, was sworn in as actingmayor Friday. A special election will be held in November to fillthe remainder of Cammarano's term.

Cammarano's arrest came at a tough time for Hoboken, which hasbecome a bedroom community of sorts for Manhattan professionals.Financial industry layoffs have hit the city hard, flooding thereal-estate market with homes for sale or rent.

Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell, who was among those arrested inthe corruption sweep, resigned earlier this week.