The resignation came about 30 minutes after the newspaper asked his office about the latest set of allegations: that he accepted birthday and Christmas cards stuffed with cash from employees.

The 32-year sheriff cited failing health as the reason for his resignation, which will take effect April 1.

Since January, The Plain Dealer has published 17 stories about how McFaul runs his office. The stories documented his hiring and promoting practices, illegal fundraising and favoritism for friends and political allies. Pay records show he goes to the office only about one day a week.

A Plain Dealer story in February led to the appointment of a special prosecutor from Toledo to investigate whether McFaul broke the law when he coached his girlfriend to dodge a subpoena in a 1986 sexual-harassment complaint against him.

The newspaper asked McFaul yesterday about cash given to him by employees and whether he claimed the money on his tax returns.

For years, his workers have provided him with thousands of dollars in cash and other gifts for his birthday, at Christmas and before vacations to Ireland and Florida.

The practice still goes on, sheriff's employees said, although some high-ranking employees stopped collecting money because it made them uncomfortable.

McFaul did not return a call yesterday to answer whether he disclosed the gifts on his federal tax returns.

In recent interviews with The Plain Dealer, McFaul said his health probably would force him from office. The newspaper articles would play no role in the decision, he said.

"I don't like to go out and have people say (The Plain Dealer) drove me out the door," McFaul said.

The job pays about $110,000 a year.

In a statement issued by his office, McFaul cited poor health as the reason for his resignation.

"Sheriff McFaul has been under doctor's care since suffering a debilitating stroke in 2006," the statement said. "He has been on sick leave for the past 30 days. His attending physician advised him yesterday that he should retire."

mpuente@plaind.com