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Huma Abedin Announces Separation From Anthony Weiner

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- On the same day former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner deleted his Twitter account following a report that he was involved in another sexting scandal, his wife is calling it quits.

As CBS2's Alice Gainer reported, Huma Abedin stuck by Weiner through several sexting scandals. But on Monday, she announced that will not be happening anymore.

The New York Post published photos late Sunday that the newspaper said Weiner had sent last year to a woman it identified only as a "40-something divorcee.''

Abedin, the vice chairwoman of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, issued the following statement Monday:

"After long and painful consideration and work on my marriage, I have made the decision to separate from my husband. Anthony and I remain devoted to doing what is best for our son, who is the light of our life. During this difficult time, I ask for respect for our privacy."

There was no mention in the statement of a divorce, or any future attempts at reconciliation, CBS2's Marcia Kramer reported. But the recent tabloid disclosures of Weiner's sexting habits have become a major distraction for Abedin.

The optics have also not been good for Clinton, who is seeking to become the nation's first female president, Kramer reported.

A sexting scandal cost Weiner his seat in Congress in 2011 and damaged his bid for the Democratic mayoral nomination two years later. But in the past, Abedin said she loved her husband and would stand by him.

"I made the decision that it was worth staying in this marriage," Abedin said in a 2013 news conference at Weiner's side following a round of sexting allegations.

In the documentary "Weiner," Abedin is seen instructing campaign staff how to appear during revelations of another sexting scandal.

But new pictures of Weiner in his underwear with his young son by his side apparently were the last straw, Kramer reported.

Dr. Judy Kuriansky, a clinical psychologist and sex therapist, was appalled by the latest sexting allegations. 

"Absolutely reprehensible and irresponsible, and to me, really makes me worry about the abuse of this child," she said.

Kuriansky has not treated Weiner, but she said the main concern should now be for their son.

"This is a disaster psychologically for him to be exposed to a father who is doing this behavior and involving him," Kuriansky said.

When asked two weeks ago in a New York Times question-and-answer article whether he was still engaging in the activities that got him in trouble, Weiner would not answer.

As for Abedin, on Sunday night she attended a fundraiser for Clinton in the Hamptons.

"It's a good day for Huma Abedin, and it's about time she's going to relieve herself of a serious problem, and therefore protect her principal -- secretary Hillary Clinton -- in the process," said political consultant Hank Sheinkopf. "It's a terrible day for Anthony Weiner. It's the end of his public life."

New Yorkers who have been an audience to Weiner's downfall sounded off Monday.

"You never know fully what's going on in a relationship and what's going on between them," said Paige Ross of Manhattan. "As a woman, I respect her decision, and knowing what I know, I would've done that a long time ago."

"I think once a child's involved, and it's time for some prosecution," a man said.

"I guess the first time, you know, maybe you can forgive, but the second time, I think it's a pattern," another woman said.

"I think it's unfortunate, you know, I think it's unfortunate for everything that's going on in the country right now, and it's just kind of another distraction from the important issues that need to be talked about," said James Wilkins of Manhattan.

Weiner resigned from Congress in 2011, after he acknowledged sending lewd Twitter photos to women. He returned to the political spotlight in 2013 when he launched his mayoral run, but a new round of sexting revelations caused him to collapse in the polls.

He ultimately lost the primary to now-Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump issued a statement following Abedin's announcement that focused more on Hillary Clinton.

"Huma is making a very wise decision. I know Anthony Weiner well, and she will be far better off without him. I only worry for the country in that Hillary Clinton was careless and negligent in allowing Weiner to have such close proximity to highly classified information. Who knows what he learned and who he told? It's just another example of Hillary Clinton's bad judgment. It is possible that our country and its security have been greatly compromised by this."

Sheinkopf questioned what Trump's remarks had to do with the issues surrounding Weiner.

"Donald Trump has of course made this about politics. What it's about is the destruction of a family a separation of husband and wife and frankly protecting a candidate for president of the United States from additional scandal?" Sheinkopf said. "Is that about national security? No."

The New York Daily News has also announced it will no longer run columns by Weiner.

There was no additional word from the Clinton camp and as of late Monday, there had been no word from Weiner.

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