Man, these two major parties just can't seem to stay out of trouble.  When are people going to start looking for a change?  Soon, hopefully.  Before it's too late.

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Congressman pleads guilty to charges related to Abramoff scandal

Congressman pleads guilty to charges related to Abramoff scandal

By Richard Clough

Chicago Tribune

(MCT)

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 lawmaker, 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 golfing 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 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, who checked into an
alcohol rehabilitation program last month, intends to enter the U.S.
Bureau of Prisons Residential Drug Abuse Program, which would make him
eligible for a reduced prison term. Tuohey said the alcohol problems
explain but do not excuse Ney's actions.