1999 Escort Brake lights won't turn off

I have a 1999 ford escort and just yesterday the brake lights stay on all of the time, even when the car is off and the key is out of the ignition. The third 'emergency' brake light never comes on. The only time the brake lights change state is when the turn signal is on and that particular light will blink. No change when you turn on headlights.

i've replaced the fuse, still not working. I did take out the BOO (brake on off) switch and the lights turned off then, but of course they would never turn on when pressing the brake after that. Putting the switch back in the lights immediatly came back on and stayed on.

any ideas?

todd