Chicago personnel chief resigns

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's personnel chief says he has turned in his resignation -- less than two weeks after independent Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman accused him of lying during an investigation of hiring abuses.

But in announcing his resignation Tuesday, Chicago Human Resources Commissioner Homero Tristan vehemently denied that he tried to cover himself by lying to investigators.

Tristan called Hoffman's allegations erroneous and irresponsible, but said he could not fight the charges and at the same time continue to represent the administration in federal court proceedings related to patronage hiring abuses.

Hoffman declined to comment on the resignation.