California Democratic State Senator Roderick Wright said in a letter on Monday that he plans to step down from his position later this month following his conviction.

Wright made his plan known three days after he was sentenced to 90 days in prison because of voting fraud and perjury charges.

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In a letter addressed to the legislative body secretary, the senator wrote that he will resign from office effective Sept. 22.

In January, Wright was convicted of felony after he lied about living in the district that he represented in the 2008 elections.

During an interview, Wright said that although his decision was "painful," he had to do what was best for the Senate.

He agreed to step down after Senate leaders said they would ask the Senate to expel him if he refused to resign.

On Friday, California Democratic state Senate leader Darrell Steinberg urged Wright to step down and on Monday, Steinberg's spokesman, Rhys Williams, said the Senate leader accepted Wright's resignation.

In a statement released by Democratic Senator Kevin de Leon (Ca.), he said Wright's prosecution was "unfortunate and unfair," but said that Wright's decision to step down from his seat was the best thing for the Senate and the community.

Wright, 62, was was sentenced to serve time, 1,500 hours of community service, three years probation and a lifelong ban from running for future public office.

Wright was ordered to begin serving his jail time on Oct. 31.

Originally, Wright planned on resigning on Oct. 31, but it was opposed by Senate leaders, saying that the longer Wright is allowed to stay in office, the bigger issue it would create in the midterm elections.

Wright is said to be the first lawmaker to resign due to a conviction in 20 years, after State Senator Frank Hill resigned in 1994 following charges of corruption, extortion and money laundering.

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