Rep. Ney,(R. Ohio) pleads guilty to charges in Abramoff lobbying scandal
Rep. Ney,(R. Ohio) pleads guilty to charges in Abramoff lobbying scandal
By Richard Clough
Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune
Published October 14, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Disgraced Rep. Bob Ney, an Ohio Republican, pleaded guilty Friday to influence-peddling charges stemming from his involvement in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal and announced that he plans to resign from Congress in the next few weeks.
In pleading guilty to conspiracy and making false statements, Ney became the first lawmaker convicted in the lobbying investigation that has reached into the Republican-controlled Congress and the White House.
The felony charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, although federal prosecutors are recommending Ney be given a 27-month term. U.S. District Judge Ellen Huvelle scheduled sentencing for Jan. 19.
Ney, a six-term House member, did not speak to reporters after pleading guilty, but said in a statement: "I accept responsibility for my actions and I am prepared to face the consequences of what I have done. I never intended my career in public service to end this way, and I am ashamed that it has."
After months of acerbically denying any wrongdoing, the 52-year-old congressman signed a plea agreement in September in which he admitted to accepting trips, campaign contributions and other gifts from Abramoff and his clients in exchange for political favors.
In court Friday, Ney listened as Huvelle read a list of gifts--including a golf excursion to Scotland, trips to New York and New Orleans, casino chips, tickets to sporting events and meals--that Ney had accepted in return for legislative support for Abramoff's clients. After each item was read, the gray-haired, crimson-faced congressman acknowledged having accepted it, saying quietly, "Yes, your honor."
The scandal has already claimed Abramoff, the Republican lobbyist who pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges early this year, in addition to convictions for three former congressional aides, an Interior Department official and a White House staffer.
In his statement, Ney said he had gotten "too comfortable" with his role in Congress and allowed the atmosphere of political Washington to affect his judgment.
"I accepted things I shouldn't have with the result that Jack Abramoff used my name to advance his own secret schemes of fraud and theft in ways I could never have imagined," he said.
Despite his guilty pleas, Ney has not yet resigned from Congress. He said he will step down from his House seat in the coming weeks once he believes his staff is prepared and constituent matters have been resolved.
Ney's lawyer said the congressman, who withdrew his candidacy for re-election during the summer, would step down before his sentencing in January. Both Republican and Democratic leaders have said they will force him out earlier.
On Friday, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio) issued a joint statement saying they plan to expel Ney from the House if he does not resign by the time Congress reconvenes in November.
"There is no place for him in this Congress," their statement said.
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) released a statement Friday, saying Ney's guilty plea "is further proof that the Republican culture of corruption has pervaded Congress."
Mark Tuohey, Ney's lawyer, said the lawmaker intends to enter the U.S. Bureau of Prisons Residential Drug Abuse Program, which would make him eligible for a reduced prison term.
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rxclough@tribune.com
By Richard Clough
Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune
Published October 14, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Disgraced Rep. Bob Ney, an Ohio Republican, pleaded guilty Friday to influence-peddling charges stemming from his involvement in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal and announced that he plans to resign from Congress in the next few weeks.
In pleading guilty to conspiracy and making false statements, Ney became the first lawmaker convicted in the lobbying investigation that has reached into the Republican-controlled Congress and the White House.
The felony charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, although federal prosecutors are recommending Ney be given a 27-month term. U.S. District Judge Ellen Huvelle scheduled sentencing for Jan. 19.
Ney, a six-term House member, did not speak to reporters after pleading guilty, but said in a statement: "I accept responsibility for my actions and I am prepared to face the consequences of what I have done. I never intended my career in public service to end this way, and I am ashamed that it has."
After months of acerbically denying any wrongdoing, the 52-year-old congressman signed a plea agreement in September in which he admitted to accepting trips, campaign contributions and other gifts from Abramoff and his clients in exchange for political favors.
In court Friday, Ney listened as Huvelle read a list of gifts--including a golf excursion to Scotland, trips to New York and New Orleans, casino chips, tickets to sporting events and meals--that Ney had accepted in return for legislative support for Abramoff's clients. After each item was read, the gray-haired, crimson-faced congressman acknowledged having accepted it, saying quietly, "Yes, your honor."
The scandal has already claimed Abramoff, the Republican lobbyist who pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges early this year, in addition to convictions for three former congressional aides, an Interior Department official and a White House staffer.
In his statement, Ney said he had gotten "too comfortable" with his role in Congress and allowed the atmosphere of political Washington to affect his judgment.
"I accepted things I shouldn't have with the result that Jack Abramoff used my name to advance his own secret schemes of fraud and theft in ways I could never have imagined," he said.
Despite his guilty pleas, Ney has not yet resigned from Congress. He said he will step down from his House seat in the coming weeks once he believes his staff is prepared and constituent matters have been resolved.
Ney's lawyer said the congressman, who withdrew his candidacy for re-election during the summer, would step down before his sentencing in January. Both Republican and Democratic leaders have said they will force him out earlier.
On Friday, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio) issued a joint statement saying they plan to expel Ney from the House if he does not resign by the time Congress reconvenes in November.
"There is no place for him in this Congress," their statement said.
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) released a statement Friday, saying Ney's guilty plea "is further proof that the Republican culture of corruption has pervaded Congress."
Mark Tuohey, Ney's lawyer, said the lawmaker intends to enter the U.S. Bureau of Prisons Residential Drug Abuse Program, which would make him eligible for a reduced prison term.
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rxclough@tribune.com
posted by Carlos T Mock @ 11:50 AM
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