ALLENSTOWN, N.H. (AP) – Police Chief James McGonigle has resigned amid word from the attorney general’s office that he is the target of a criminal investigation.

McGonigle, who has been Allenstown’s chief for a decade, also resigned his seat on the Concord City Council on Monday. His one-line resignation letter said he was stepping down for “health reasons.”

McGonigle had been on paid leave from the Allenstown Police Department for five weeks. Selectmen did not comment on McGonigle’s resignation or the nature of the investigation.

, but they have discussed it in non-public session.

Simon Brown, chief of the attorney general’s criminal bureau, disclosed Monday that McGonigle is being investigated.

McGonigle was a police officer in Concord for 21 years. Shortly after he retired, he went back to work, first as interim chief in Canaan and then as chief in Allenstown.

He was first elected to the Concord City Council in 1993. He resigned in July 2001 to focus on his Allenstown job, but ran again in 2003 and won an at-large seat.

Other city councilors said they did not know why he resigned, but expressed their concern and said they would miss his perspective on law enforcement and other issues.

“I think it’s very sad, because I think he brought an awful lot to the council,” said Councilor Douglas Black. “My heart goes out to him.”

AP-ES-04-11-06 0732EDT