Carl Stanley McGee, a high-profile aide to Deval Patrick, is on an unpaid leave of absence after being accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy at a Florida resort.

Casey Ross at the Herald considers the political impact of McGee's departure. While Bostonist uses the term "high-profile" because McGee was one of the Globe's most stylish people, he was more than just a fashionable face who put off a strong Tim Gunn vibe (in this mugshot, not so much). He was also the "governor's point man on the legalization of casinos." It's not like Patrick's plans will crumble with the news about McGee--but it's a distraction that those who oppose casinos could use to their advantage.

Ross and Jessica Fargen have more details on the crime of which McGee is accused:

The report says McGee approached the youth and engaged him in small talk in a restroom [of the resort] on Dec. 27. The next day, McGee and the boy were in the steam room when McGee allegedly removed his towel and began engaging in sex acts, the report states.

AOL News Blogger Liza Porteus Viana notes that Republicans might experience a sense of sweet revenge since, for once, a political sex scandal of this nature doesn't involve someone of their party. However, what she forgets is that McGee was never as public a figure as, say, Larry Craig or Mark Foley. He was also very much out of the closet. So it's not exactly the same thing, but it's still going to be a problem for the Patrick Administration.

McGee will be arraigned in Florida on Monday.

Mugshot from the Lee County Sheriff's office. All charges alleged until proven under law.