CENTRAL FALLS — A week after rejecting calls for his resignation, the City Council member accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy stepped down, saying his continued presence on the council was distracting it from important business.

Ward 4 City Councilor Luis A. Gil submitted his letter of resignation yesterday. He changed his mind about resigning after Monday night’s council meeting, chagrined that coverage by the media focused on the fact that he didn’t show up, his lawyer, Richard K. Corley, said.

City Council President William Benson Jr. said Gil is doing the right thing, but should have done it sooner.

“He said he wasn’t going to miss any meetings, and then he missed the meeting,” Benson said.

Meanwhile, local newspaper and television reporters descended on the council chamber, curious about whether Gil would attend.

During a break, Councilwoman Eunice DeLaHoz said that, although Gil is innocent until proven guilty, the allegations are serious enough that he should step down.

Gil, 45, is a well-known Latino radio personality. His letter was addressed to Benson and hand-delivered to City Hall.

“It has been an honor to serve on the Central Falls City Council,” Gil said in the letter. “I am proud to have represented the people of the 4th Ward.”

“Unfortunately, the allegations that have been made against me have been a distraction from the work that the City Council must do to move Central Falls forward.”

“I have come to the difficult conclusion over the last 10 days that the best way to keep the focus on the important work of the City Council is for me to resign.”

The resignation, effective immediately, is expected to have little practical impact. There is just one council meeting remaining this year, Gil didn’t seek reelection and his term ends at the end of the year.

In public-relation terms, however, the resignation could be significant. As long as Gil remained in office, there was the risk the council would be tarnished by the allegations against him, Benson said.

That was why, when Gil was arrested, Mayor Charles D. Moreau called upon him to resign, and why, Benson said, he supported the mayor in that decision.

Gil was arrested Nov. 12, after he was found by Providence police with a 15-year-old boy in his car near the Henderson Bridge.

The boy, who had a bruise on his neck that he said Gil had given him, was in the back seat buttoning his jeans and trying to put his shirt on, according to the police report. Gil, who was the boy’s coach in the Central Falls Soccer Association, was in the driver’s seat with his pants pulled down below his knees, the report said.

Gil was charged with third-degree sexual assault. Gil’s lawyer said he continues to maintain his innocence. The decision to resign shouldn’t be misconstrued as an admission of guilt, Corley said.

In the letter of resignation, Gil said, “We live in the best country in the world, where those accused of crimes, like myself, have rights, including the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

“I look forward to my day in court. Until then, I wish my colleagues on the City Council the very best with the remaining work of this council term and the future work that awaits the next council.”

jcastell@projo.com