ATLANTA -- The bomb scare caused by a Cartoon Network advertising campaign has cost the head of the Atlanta-based network his job.

Jim Samples, the general manager and vice president of the network owned by Turner Broadcasting, stepped down Friday.

In an e-mail to company employees, Samples said, "I deeply regret the negative publicity and expense caused to our company as a result of this campaign ... I feel compelled to step down in recognition of the gravity of the situation that occurred under my watch," he said.

Samples, who has been with the company for 13 years, said that he hopes the decision to step down helps the company "get back to our mission of delivering unrivaled original animated entertainment for consumers of all ages."

The company agreed earlier this week to pay $2 million to the city of Boston to cover the cost of the bomb scare that shut down highways and roads across the city.

More than three dozen blinking electronic signs with a boxy cartoon character giving an obscene hand gesture were found in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville. The signs, part of a publicity campaign for Cartoon Network's "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," also appeared in nine other big U.S. cities in recent weeks, with little interest.

But in Boston, bomb squads responded to reports of the devices in a subway station, on bridges and elsewhere.

The stunt caused traffic to come to a standstill after the lighted devices were found.

Two Boston men, Peter Berdovsky, 27, and Sean Stevens, 28, were paid to promote the show that airs on Turner's Cartoon Network. Both pleaded not guilty to placing a hoax device and disorderly conduct.