WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—Florida’s top police agency said Aug. 22 its investigation into former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley’s lurid Internet communications with teenage boys has been hindered because neither Foley nor the House will let investigators examine his congressional computers.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement hoped to conclude its investigation this week. Foley, a Florida Republican, resigned from Congress 11 months ago after being confronted with the computer messages he sent to male teenage pages who had worked on Capitol Hill.

Heather Smith, an FDLE spokeswoman, said that the House claims the computers are considered congressional work papers, and that only Foley can release them for review.

Florida investigators were working with the FBI and Foley’s attorney, David Roth, to try to reach an agreement, Smith said. At the investigation’s conclusion, its findings will be forwarded to prosecutors to determine if charges are warranted.

Under Florida law, the age of consent is 18. A crime may have been committed if Foley is simply found to have seduced or attempted to seduce a minor using lewd or explicit language.