Dem. Rep's Son Now Under Criminal Investigation After Undercover Voter Video

Patrick Moran (Screen shot: Business Insider)

ARLINGTON, Va. (TheBlaze/AP) -- Police say they have launched a criminal investigation following the release of undercover video showing the son of Democratic Rep. Jim Moran of Virginia discussing a plan to cast fraudulent ballots.

Patrick Moran resigned Wednesday as field director of his father's campaign after Project Veritas, an organization led by conservative activist James O'Keefe, released the video.

It showed an undercover operative pitching a voter-fraud plan to Patrick Moran.

In the video, Patrick Moran expresses doubts about the plan but eventually tells the volunteer to "look into it."

Patrick Moran has said he thought the person who approached him was unstable and that he was only humoring him.

"In hindsight, I should have immediately walked away, making it clear that there is no place in the electoral process for even the suggestion of illegal behavior, joking or not,” Patrick told Politico in an email.

His father's campaign also responded, saying it welcomes a thorough investigation.

“The incident involving Patrick was an unfortunate situation,” the statement said. “While clearly lacking good judgment, Patrick's unsolicited interaction with a right wing political operative seeking to trap him in a damaging conversation did not constitute an unlawful action. We are confident this unwelcome chapter in the campaign will be quickly and favorably closed."

The elder Moran meanwhile took the opportunity to bash O'Keefe's group, calling the videographer a “trained political operative bent on goading him into a specific response.”

“But the fact remains that the conversation drifted into discussions that reflected a serious error in judgment that Patrick wishes he could take back,” he added, according to Politico. “In life, if we learn from our mistakes, we move forward stronger, wiser, and committed to ensuring they are not repeated. I know Patrick will come out of this tough situation a better man for it.