LA NAACP president resigns in wake of Donald Sterling controversy

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The NAACP's Los Angeles chapter president on Thursday resigned following scrutiny of his decision to honor Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling with a civil rights award.

"Please be advised that the legacy, history and reputation of the NAACP is more important to me than the presidency," Leon Jenkins said in his resignation letter. "In order to separate the Los Angeles NAACP and the NAACP from the negative exposure I have caused the NAACP, I respectfully resign my position."

Jenkins had planned to give Sterling a "lifetime achievement award" later this month, but he rescinded the offer Monday after a recording surfaced of Sterling making racially charged comments.

The NAACP said its national office is "developing guidelines for its branches to help them in their award selection process."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.