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Robert W. Ney
Republican, Ohio (1995-2006)
Update, Aug. 12, 2008: Ney will complete his federal sentence Friday, having served 17-1/2 months of a 30-month term. He gets out for good behavior and because he participated in drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs while in prison.
The Honorable Robert Ney has been feeling the pressure lately. He's the unnamed Congressman in the Abramoff indictment. Further, former Tom DeLay senior staffer, Tony Rudy, is cooperating with federal investigators. According to court papers, Rudy will provide key corroborating information in the case that federal prosecutors are trying to build against Ney.
But Ney isn't going to go down easily, he says. "I have absolutely no intention of retiring. My constituents will make that decision in the next election and I am grateful for the very strong support I receive when I travel around the district."
Meanwhile . . . Federal prosecutors on April 28, 2006, signaled that they were going to pursue a wide range of allegations against Ney and his buddy Jack Abramoff rather than just focus narrowly on bribery.
Update: On May 8, 2006, Neil G. Volz, former top aide to Ney, who left Congress to work with Jack Abramoff's lobbying team, pleaded guilty to conspiring to corruptly influence Ney's official actions by showering him with gifts and trips. Ney's reaction: "I don't believe I'm going to be indicted." Check out the Abramoff scorecard; we add Volz's name to it.
Update: In the fall of 2004, Ney told Senate investigators that he was unfamiliar with a Texas Indian tribe, the Tiguas, that was represented by Jack Abramoff. Turns out, that Ney had numerous discussions with Abramoff about the tribe and about helping to get Congress to reopen their shuttered casino. Was he lying, or just couldn't remember?? On June 22, 2006, the Senate released the 357-page report on tribal lobbying, showing how Abramoff and former congressional aides, including Neil Volz, bilked the Indians out of millions.
Update, Aug. 7, 2006: Bob Ney announces that he will retire, rather than go through a grueling re-election fight in November.
Update, Sept. 16, 2006: Ney agreed to plead guilty to corruption charges. After totally denying any wrong-doing for over a year, Ney signed a two-count plea agreement on Sept. 13. He could get up to 10 years in prison, but prosecutors are looking for a term of 27 months. He faces $500,000 in fines.
Update: Ney plead guilty on October 13 to corruption charges. His old pals, the Republican leadership, skittish about the still-brewing Foley scandal, told Ney to leave now or be kicked out. "Bob Ney must be punished for the criminal actions he has acknowledged," said a statement from Speaker Dennis Hastert, Major Leader John Boehner, and Majority Whip Roy Blunt, and Conference Chairman Deborah Pryce. "He betrayed his oath of office and violated the trust of those he represented in the House. There is no place for him in this Congress. I he chooses no to resign his office, we will move to expel him immediately as our first order of business when Congress resumes its legislative work in November."
Check out the Abramoff indictment/
conviction scorecard for others involved
Update, Jan. 19, 2007: Ney is sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for his role in the congressional bribery scandal. He'll serve his term in Morgantown, West Virginia federal prison. Ney apologized to his family and friends when he faced Judge Huvelle: "I will continue to take full responsibility, accept the consequences and battle the demons of addiction that are within me."
Update, Feb. 11, 2007: U.S. District Court Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle orders Ney to report March 1 to a federal prison in Morgantown, W. Va. Its a minimum security prison, with more than 1,200 male inmates.
Update, Feb. 21, 2008: Ney was transferred from federal lockup in Morgantown, W. Va. to a halfway house in Cincinnati. His new release date is August 16, 2008. That means that he will have served 17 months out of a 30-month sentence. He can also hold a job outside of the Cincinnati facility, like many federal halfway house residents.
For complete list of others who've left, check
Sources: Sabrina Eaton, "Foes Want Ohio's Ney to Follow DeLay; He Says No," Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 5, 2006, A8; "Former DeLay Aide Pleads Guilty; He'll Provide Details Against Rep. Bob Ney," Seattle Times, April 1, 2006, A5. Susan Schmidt and Chris Cillizza, "Prosecutors Opt for Wide Probe of Rep. Ney," Washington Post, April 29, 2006, A4. Susan Schmidt and James V. Grimaldi, "Former Aide to Rep. Ney Pleads Guilty," Washington Post, May 9, 2006, A1. Susan Schmidt, "Senator's Report on Abramoff Case Disputes Rep. Ney," Washington Post, June 23, 2006, A1. James V. Grimaldi and Susan Schmidt, "Rep. Ney Admits Selling Influence," Washington Post, Sept. 16, 2006, A1. Susan Schmidt, "Rep. Ney Pleads Guilty; GOP Vows Ouster," Washington Post, Oct. 13, 2006. Matt Apuzzo, "Ex-Ohio Rep. Ney Sentenced to 30 Months," AP, Jan. 19, 2007. "Ney Ordered to Report to W. Va. Prison on March 1," Columbus Dispatch, Feb. 11, 2007, 8. "Ney Scheduled to be Released 13 Months Early," Cox Television, February 21, 2008. Paul Kane, "Ex-Congressman Ney, Jailed in Lobby Case, Set for Early Release," Washington Post, Aug. 13, 2008.
