Ney Pleads Guilty, Plans To Resign

First Lawmaker To Confess Crimes In Abramoff Lobbying Scandal

(CBS/AP)  Rep. Bob Ney pleaded guilty Friday in the influence-peddling investigation of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the first lawmaker to confess to crimes in an election-year scandal that has stained the Republican-controlled Congress and the Bush administration.

Standing before Judge Ellen S. Huvelle, Ney pleaded guilty to conspiracy and making false statements. He acknowledged taking money, gifts and favors in return for official actions on behalf of Abramoff and his clients.

Ney did not immediately resign from Congress, but said in a statement that he will step down "in the next few weeks." Republican and Democratic leaders quickly vowed to expel him if he doesn't. The White House also called for Ney's resignation.

Beleaguered Republican leaders, struggling to overcome fallout from a separate scandal involving former Rep. Mark Foley and teenage male pages, said they would make Ney's ouster the "first order of business" in a session after the Nov. 7 elections.

The scandal is likely to reinforce Democrats' contention in the campaign leading up to the elections that the ruling Republicans are corrupt and do not deserve to retain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. There also could be difficulties for Republican candidates in Ney's home state of Ohio.

"I never intended my career in public service to end this way, and I am ashamed it did," Ney said in a written statement issued moments later.

The 52-year-old lawmaker faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. Huvelle said prosecutors had agreed to recommend a term of 27 months, and said federal guidelines suggest a fine of between $5,000 and $60,000.

As to why he's not resigning now, several officials have said the congressman is financially strapped and needs his $165,200 annual paycheck and benefits as long as he can continue to receive them.

Ney's lawyer, Mark Touhey, told the judge he would resign before sentencing on Jan. 19. The House Republican leader, Dennis Hastert, and other Republican leaders said he would be gone far more quickly than that.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader, called Ney's guilty plea "further proof that the Republican culture of corruption has pervaded Congress."

Ney is the latest in a string of once-influential men convicted in a scandal that so far has caught several lobbyists and two members of the Bush administration.

Abramoff, the Republican super-lobbyist, admitted guilt in January after secretly cooperating with prosecutors for weeks.

Two former aides to Tom DeLay, the former House majority leader, have also pleaded guilty, as has Ney's former chief of staff.

Additionally, Roger Stillwell, a former Interior Department official, pleaded guilty in August to a misdemeanor charge for not reporting tickets he received from Abramoff.

And former White House official David Safavian, who had been the Bush administration's top procurement official, was convicted of covering up his dealings with Abramoff. He is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 27.

Ney confessed his wrongdoing in a federal courthouse a few blocks from the Capitol building, where until recently he wielded a committee chairman's gavel.

[xccoach]

And the beat goes on.......

[huskerarmy]

Another one bites the dust... and another one's gone, and another one's gone... another one bites the dust. The party of greed and lust has lost another general from the ranks of the plutocrats army.

[observantx]

I believe it was Mark Twain who once commented that "We have the best Congress that money can buy"

[drgoodwin12]

This is absurd,"Despite his admission of criminal activity, Ney, 52, is entitled to collect a congressional pension." in addition why is it that all politicians get light sentences to white collar jails?If an average citizen had done the same they would be serving a tougher sentence in a regular prison.That is where Ney and any other congressman,president or V.P. should receive and I am being kind due to the fact that they were elected to abide by the laws of our country.Actually life imprisonment in a not so cozy prison,no library,no athletic activities just a bed and three meals a day is all any prisoner deserves.

[houser123]

Can anyone count the number of times this comment has been used in recent weeks, "This is political nonsense put out by the Democrats in an inappropriate attempt to influence the election." The republicand cant deny the allegations, they only question the timing. Seems its OK with Norquist to "Starve the Beast" as he states to taxes and the government as long as his organization does not starve. Its all about the money, nothing more, nothing less.

[frankly6]

It costs so much money to run for congress these days that by the time they get there they are completely sold out. We need to take corporate and special interest money out of the process completely. If we finance congressional races then honest people who really want to serve will be attracted into government. It's time to buy back our government. It would be far cheaper than all the earmarks, pork and corruption that we pay for now.

[huskerarmy]

"Its all about the money, nothing more, nothing less."

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! And we have a winner!!!

[huskerarmy]

"It's time to buy back our government..."

The question is, can we win a bidding war with Halliburton?

[heresmy2cent]

Most of these scumbags are lawyers by profession before they decide to become "political leaders."

As laywers they craft the laws to make sure that they can wriggle out of most any fix they may get into and ensure that they will reap every benefit imaginable.

The laws (like giving pensions to convicted felons) won't change unless laws are created to do so. Don't expect these rats to do anything to jeopardize the dream-like conditions and perks that they have created for themselves.

[oleander8]

"This is political nonsense put out by the Democrats in an inappropriate attempt to influence the election,"

I am sick unto death of this inability of Republicans to take responsibility for their actions.

The overriding problem with passing laws that will remove money as the driving force behind elections is that the congress makes the laws. The inmates are running the asylum!

If I EVER vote Republican again - someone, please slap me.

[talkingham]

I'm reminded of the old days of Nixon, when ads asked would you buy a used car from this man?

Now, it's more like would you buy a used and abused government from these people?

The amount of corruption is so large there is no way it can be portrayed in a month of newscasts. And the goofy trashy stuff gets lost too, like the Russ Limbaugh Viagra thing at the airport-- just why did he need Viagra in the Dominican Republic? What's down there that requires Viagra?

Musings aside, if these republicans are the architects of the new voting machine system in this nation (and they are), shouldn't someone be investigating everything they've rigged with that? They will do anything to win this election because they do not want any real investigations into their scams.

[frankly6]

Real campaign finance reform will have to come from an overwhelming public demand. The new system of pay and play politics was refined and perfected by the Republicans but would largely remain in place if and when the Dems take over. There would be some important reforms, like simple congressional oversight and less corruption, but the way things are financed may well stay the same without public outcry.

[osidebear]

As a Democrat who thinks the Republican dominance of our government is ruining this country, I tend to be pleased with the constant, day-after-day tales of GOP corruption and incompetence. I've got my fingers crossed that changes are going to come.

As an American, which for me trumps party affiliation, it makes me sick to see what is happening to our government. And the realist in me knows that this corruption is pervasive on both sides of the aisle. I don't know what the solution is, but I do know that the relentless pursuit of personal gain (power, money, status) is what is driving our country into ruin.

[frankly6]

The answer is to take corporate and special interest money completely out of the political process. We need publicly financed campaigns. We can all see that the fruit is rotten but it's time to take a look at the roots.

[mjv2944]

If they ever really really investigate our congress, there probably won't be anh incumbents as they will be in jail. Its time to stop all the corruption and real campaign finance reform is the answe along with term limits. Do you really think that Bryd is an effective senator? Term limits time has come and it time to drop the hammer on lobbyists.There are a lot of well qualified and HONEST people that cannot run because of the costs. Can you image how TV and print media would scream if they lost all that advertising, even though each ad is the same, only the name & party changes. Its time to take back America. Repubs and dems have sold us out.

[tejasdemo]

osidebear...you said it perfectly !

[pendragon679]

Unfortunately, this smacks of "too little, too late" to make any real difference. Here in Ohio, we've known for years that the one-party rule that's been so prevalent in the state was driving us to ruin-and I've only lived here 8 years! Really, the level of corruption within the past 8 years has been phenomenal, from the great election buy-out of 2000 to the current debacle. And I see no real end in sight unless the voters of this once-great nation begin to grow some balls and vote the bums out! BTW, term limits are written into the Constitution (remember the Constitution? It's that piece of paper that starts "We the people..."). The current mess we're in is the result of a complacent electorate that would rather maintain the status quo ("Stay the course!") than vote for change. Want change in our government? Then go to the polls on November 7th and ask yourself one question: AM I BETTER OFF NOW THAN I WAS 4 YEARS AGO?

[lacraft]

Congress should pass the necessary legislation that will work retroactively and not permit Ney to collect any congressional pension!...what an insult to American public!

[lacraft]

Check into Roy Blunt while you are at it...very close friend and associate of others who are involved!

[osidebear]

I'm on board with the idea of public financing of campaigns. I think that is the only way to combat the pernicious influence of corporate and special interest money that is poisoning our democracy.

Of course, there are many (like George Will) who argue perversely that money=speech, and limiting what people can spend on political campaigns is unconstitutional. This argument is always made by rich people who fail to see the other side of the coin. Namely, that if money=speech than people without money cannot speak.

[zykracosmos]

Why isn't the press going after Rove and the White House more agressively on the Abramoff connections. 485 interactions with the White House in 3 years? Are we to believe that Rove, Bush and others at the top of this administration, who are so absolutely dictatorial in their management style, had nothing to do with the Abramoff bribes? Does somebody have the balls to go after them? 60 Minutes or somebody?

[bellal-2009]

They're dropping like flies. Let's keep going 'til the only ones left standing are the honest ones.

[pakaal]

"As to why he's not resigning now, several officials have said the congressman is financially strapped and needs his $165,200 annual paycheck and benefits as long as he can continue to receive them."

Poor Senator Ney! Sure, us taxpayers are more than happy to let you coast for a few months on our dollars, since you're so financially strapped and all. Right everyone? Hello? Anyone? ;-)

This clown makes $160,000 a year, and he's "financially strapped"? No wonder we have the biggest deficit in our country's history, our Congressional leaders don't even know how to balance their own books.

[tejasdemo]

Why doesnt the media go after the Whitehouse ? They were directly connected to Abramhoff and all this corruption. They are corrupt from the President right on down.

Who has the nads to investigate them ? CBS ? Fox News ( i know , i know...ha ha ha), ABC, CNN ? who !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[observantx]

"This is political nonsense put out by the Democrats in an inappropriate attempt to influence the election," said John Kartch, communications director for Americans for Tax Reform."

I guess Mr. Kartch is unclear on the concept.

Bob Ney pleaded guilty in a federal courthouse to being bought and paid for by Jack Abramoff. Jack Abramoff gave Bob Ney money, trips, gifts, etc. in exchange for his influence on other members of Congress and his favorable votes on legislation that would stuff even more money into Mr. Abramoff%u2019s very deep pockets.

To say this has been cooked up by the opposing party in an attempt to influence the election is just ludicrous. The Dems didn%u2019t have to lift a finger. Bob Ney did it to himself and now by reflection to the current majority party. May I add that there are other individuals from BOTH parties in the same sweaty tight corner. We just don't have all the names yet. If Mr. Kartch really truly believes the above statement and is not just trying to BS/spin everyone else; I want whatever he%u2019s been smoking, it must be really good stuff.

[getcentered]

Republicans everywhere take note; your party is corrupt.

The GOP/Republican/conservative movement has lost ALL sense of what it is to be a Republican.

If your a CEO of GM or something, then you'll probably still vote for a GOP'er, but you are just perpetuating the corruptness and the ignorance. Don't do it!

Complacent Republican fools.

Mr. President and GOP/Republicans everywhere:
You and your talking point robots of a constituency have lost my confidence. My vote is not going to be aligned with the GOP. Your party shows no willingness to show individuality, intelligence, and a freewill.
Mr. President, you and the GOP have failed us. WE WILL REMEMBER.

[my1opinion]

Mr. Ney%u2019s resignation from Congress should have been effective the day his guilty plea became official since he violated the public%u2019s trust and sold his office. In addition, his immediate resignation from Congress should have been part of the plea agreement. Since he has refused to resign effective immediately, Congress should immediately reconvene and kick him out.

[peaceforusa]

Well, Well, another strike for the Republicans.

[pendragon679]

"...if money=speech than people without money cannot speak."

I couldn't agree more with this; but, to play devil's advocate for a moment, let's take a look at the Constitution for a minute. When the words "we, the people" were first set to paper in the 1700's, who did Thom. Jefferson & Co. mean by "we, the people?" Simply put, they were all wealthy, white, male land-owners. Nobody else counted. Women didn't become included in "we, the people" until after WWI; blacks received the vote, but not much more, only after the Civil War. Today, "we, the people" encompasses virtually everyone but illegal aliens, and they're fighting to be included! My point here is that "we, the people" are the ONLY ones capable of bringing about meaningful change. But we have to have the strength of will and the testicular fortitude to WANT change. This year the fires of change should burn white-hot in the bellies of ALL patriotic Americans, and not just the self-proclaimed patriots of the far right. Get out and vote November 7th!

[nichols_maxi]

They should get rid of him.but check for other in the same boat

[ccxsen-2009]

Tomorrow's convention for "Honesty in Government" will be held in the phone booth on the corner of Fifth and Magnum.

[a8m3h]

Well, if many of you out there are now convinced it is time to call for the "term limits" and excercise that ourselves.... take the bull by the horns, and kick out all the people who have been in for at least two terms, it may be the way to start.
Some of the men have been in control of OUR government for 30 years or better, why do you allow it? Just because you belong to one party, doesn't mean it owns you. Widow Lady

[bellal-2009]

Pendragon679, I agree with you completely. And I assume you mean to not vote party lines. Take time educate yourself and vote for the candidates that are the most qualified and honest.

[pakaal]

janem4, time to play catch-up again....

Jefferson?

FBI's still investigating. Probably guilty

Frank?

Shoot, that was how many years ago, 15? Frank was accused by aide he fired months earlier of having a prostitution ring. No evidence, no charges and he was STILL reprimanded by the Senate (hmm, a Republican-dominated Senate, as I recall). In any case, case closed.

Now, let's get back to the here-and-now. Ney has pleaded guilty (how he must regret his words a while back that he was sure he would be exonerated of any guilt!). I wonder how many other Republicans will be caught in this ever-expanding Abramoff probe - so many dirty politicians - and how many will get away. Well, at least they got Ney!

[cindalu1]

For every corrupt Republican, you can find a corrupt Democrat to match. The media is on a roll with Republicans. The difference is Democrats sweep it under the rug, all the way back to President John Kennedy with his secret affairs while in the Whitehouse.. (In the whitehouse). OH YES, Democrat Ted Kennedy and the death of the young girl that was drowned in a canal, while he was at the wheel in his car (he climbed out left her and never said anything until the next day. HE IS STILL IN OFFICE. OH YES, what ever happened To the Democrat Jefferson??? NOTHING. OH YES, lets not forget Clinton, our last Democrat PRESIDENT that disrespected our Whitehouse oval office with a young intern. HE IS STILL AROUND. IT Goes on and on. HAVE WE FORGOTTEN?? I agree the time is here for "term limits". A few corrupt Republicans will not change my mind, I WILL still vote Republican. A vote for a Democrat is a vote for the Liberal Kennedy concept, give the store away at the expense of us the taxpayers, and you dont have to work--- the government will give you welfare. The hard working Americans will support you. VOTE REPUBLICAN, GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

[angryliberal-2009]

The democrats axis of Evil.

1. George Bush
2. America
3. Global Warming
4. Christians
5. Wal-Mart
6. Judeo-Christian ethics
7. Republicans
8. America's Allies
9. Fetuses
10. Rush Limbaugh and talk radio
11. Joe Lieberman
12. Low taxes
13. Capitalism
14. Self sufficiency
15. Fox News
16. Taking positions on tough issues
17. Marriage
18. Home Schooling
19. Old People
20. logic
21. God
22. Religion
23. Freedom of Speech
24. Freedom of the Press
25. Anyone who opposes their views and gives logical reasons for it
26. Rick Santorum
27. ABC
27. The Army
28. Homosexuals
29. Hassert
30. Jesus
31. Optimism
32. The Truth




100,236,654,934. Terrorism and Fascism

[nothappyatall]

Maybe so CINDALU1, BUT the difference is the repubi-CONS are the ones who have been touting their superior morals, their FAMILY VALUES, the God, life and the American way of life theme, their anti gay pro marriage agenda and how their party was so much better, and look at it, every time you read the news it's another Carl Rove, another Scooter Libbye who wrote a NASTY porn rag called "The apprentice" the lies, forged documents, now the pedophile scandal, the Abramoff scandal, the list never ends!

This "Holier than thou" party who condemned "activist judges" sure seemed to have a whole bunch of the same on the side doing exactly the same!
All I can say is I voted absentee ballot today to avoid your party's DIEBOLD voting machine manipulations "irregularities" and fraud, and I voted DEMOCRAT across the board no matter what.

[angryliberal-2009]

Democrat Heros

1. Mark Foley
2. Bill Clinton
3. Hugo Chavez
4. Ned Lamont
5. CNN
6. CBS
7. Air America....lol
8. Al Franken
9. Jerry Springer
10. Gerry Studds
11. Noam Chomsky
12. Mexico
13. Abortion
14. Feminism
15. Unions
16. Public Schools
17. Wolf Blitzer
18. Nancy Pelosi
19. Ted Kennedy
20. HIGH TAXES
21. Retreat, cut and run
22. Terrorist Rights
23. Jessie Jackson

[nothappyatall]

a8m3h; there was an attempt to eliminate Presidential term limits, there was actually a BILL with a number making it's way around about 2 years ago to do just that- to allow the BUSH regime to remain in power!
This guy and his regime has ZERO respect for the Constitution or Bill of rights, but then neither did the nazi regime and we have history repeating itself.

[angryliberal-2009]

newster1, Actually...the democrats are the ones persecuting the homosexuals at this point not the republicans....think about it.
Now they want to investigate all the homosexuals in the government. Yes this is the Democ-RATS not the republi-CONS, so who is really more accepting of ***? I also used to think it was the good ole dems, but it seems the tables have turned...unfortunatley.

[frankly6]

Four prominent Republican congressmen have resigned or been convicted because of corruption or unethical behavior in just this session alone. Republicans have supeona power and the Dems don't. But the party of "personal responsibility" would rather blame Dems than live up to it's hollow campaign slogans. If there is "sweeping under the rug" going on it's on the GOP side. The scandals that have come out are just the tip of the iceburg. That is, they are so blatant, they could not ultimately be ignored even though they desperately tried to. It just proves the old addage that absolute power corrupts absolutely. That is the real lesson here.

[angryliberal-2009]

I mean this is dissapointing.....What happened to the days of Clinton and Gerry Studds when the government *** scandals actually included....***? So far there has been no criminal sexual behavior, Bill and Gerry are dissapointed im sure, They know they set the standards higher than this. The only guy Foley actually had *** with, from what I have heard was 21 and the text messages were to an 18 year old so this is pretty lame.

[nothappyatall]

Cindalu1 said; "A vote for a Democrat is a vote for the Liberal Kennedy concept, give the store away at the expense of us the taxpayers, and you dont have to work--- the government will give you welfare."

I'd rathe rhave the liberal Kennedy "concept" whatever THAT is, than another half a TRILLION dollar addition to our NATIONAL DEBT over a craphole country like Iraq and the ILLEGAL war started by BUSH. His own committee report and many others said Iraq had NOTHING to do with 9/11 and NO wmd, but he insists on staying there, and now the military is planning for four MORE years there!
At $2B a week, 4 more years is another half a trillion dollars the repubiCONS have thrown in the trash for corrupt contractors, Haliburton, Bush cronies and others.
one trillion dollars could have found cures for cancers, heart disease, built schools HERE instead of in a craphole halfway around the globe, it could have built homes for the families living on the streets because they lost their JOB and cant find one.

[nothappyatall]

part 2


one TRILLION is just the beginning little lady, I did not include the cost of bringing back or REPLACING all that junk we took to Iraq thathas been ground into the sand and desert, repaired, patched and abused- planes, tanks, vehicles, equipment, helicopters, communication devices, you name it. I also did not add the $50,000 electronic limbs we will be replacing every few years on every vet whose legs were blown off, or their lifelong costly medical care. THIS is what the repubiCONS have brought us! so you vote and you vote for MORE of the same and watch the US economy go bankrupt. The us debt has DOUBLED fro 5 to almost 10 trillion in just the 6 years BUSH has been in office.

So Cindalu1- you be sure and vote repubiCON like you said so we get more of this!
At least with Clinton his affair was with an ADULT consenting woman. AT least with Clinton we had a good economy, the debt was going down, the deficit was too, he funnelled money into the SS system and every dime of this was squandered by BUSH, go read the financial deficit/debt charts for each presidential year, CLinton's were dropping downward, then immediately when BUSH came in you can see the scale shoot up, starting with his massive $300 "tax rebate" per person boondoggle that everyone was warning was a bad idea (it was)

[pendragon679]

observantX:

Will Rogers...same fellow who claimed he never met a man he didn't like.

[nothappyatall]

Here cindalu1: from Wkipedia in part;

The most famous debt clock, located in Times Square in New York City, was created by eccentric estate mogul Seymour Durst.

Durst's clock was deactivated in 2000 when the debt began to decrease.

However, following large increases, the clock was reactivated a few years later,

(Interestingly, some "man on the street" interviews showed that some people felt that the sign's deactivation meant that the debt had been eliminated, though it remained at roughly $5 trillion.)

According to Durst the National debt is now increasing at such a rate that his clock will be obsolete (for lack of digits)

when the debt reaches:

the $10 trillion mark, expected in the next two years.

U.S. public debt on 30 December 2005 was $8,170 billion (or $8.1 trillion)

The debt equates to $28,412 per head of the U.S. population, or $58,390 per head of the U.S. working population

In 2003 $318 billion was spent on interest payments servicing the debt

Our money is backed up only by a tiny fraction in gold;

U.S. official gold reserves are worth $160 billion

[staff2--2008]

i can steal...i can lie...i can cheat...i guess i finally am qualified to be a republican...

[cindalu1]

The Democrats have never gotten over LOSING the last election. Still call it "election fraud". It all comes down to one thing, its simple. Are you for a CONSERVATIVE or LIBERAL government. KNOW the difference and know what each party stands for. LOOK into the BACKGROUND of both parties and you might change your mind. Be a Conservative and,
VOTE REPUBLICAN, GOD BLESS AMERICA.
"SHALLOW MEN BELIEVE IN LUCK--STRONG MEN BELIEVE IN CAUSE AND EFFECT." Ralph Waldo Emerson

[alphaa10-2009]

CINDALU1 said-- "The Democrats have never gotten over LOSING the last election. Still call it "election fraud". It all comes down to one thing, its simple..."
--------

Actually, it was, and still is called election fraud, and the GOP is all set to do more of the same in 2006 and 2008. Do you find that so hard to believe, as the 20th major GOP figure is embroiled in political corruption charges?

Probably, you understand a valid grievance can and does occur in some elections. But apparently you know little of the evidence on which Democrats challenged the outcome of the 2000 Florida primary. And you know even less about the evidence on which Democrats challenge the electronic voting system, using machines which are essentially black boxes whose essential mechanisms are shielded from bipartisan review.

As you state, "It's simple... vote Republican."
But what is simple, ignorance?

As long as you are content to wallow in ignorant simplicity, ignoring the debacle in Iraq, the moral bankruptcy of the Bush regime at home and abroad, and utter failure of its policies-- if Iraq even could be termed a "policy"-- you will embody the very moral decay you claim to oppose.

[alphaa10-2009]

newster1 said-- "a8m3h; there was an attempt to eliminate Presidential term limits, there was actually a BILL with a number making it's way around about 2 years ago to do just that- to allow the BUSH regime to remain in power!
This guy and his regime has ZERO respect for the Constitution..."
----

Here is another startling character revelation about Bush, confirmed by witnesses, but which was ignored by most of the MSM--

In November, 2005, in Washington, DC, Bush, facing an assembly of party members critical of his NSA spying program, bristled like a teenager caught drinking after curfew-- "Stop throwing the Constitution in my face! It just a GD)((#@*! piece of paper!"

------

Is this figure, who claims to be president of the United States, the same who pledged an oath to "protect, preserve and defend" the document he calls a "GD)((#@*! piece of paper"?

Any administration which lies to its people deserves what it gets-- the basic element of any political/social contract is trust in the honesty of leadership.

In contrast to those of his party who at least confessed their own lies, we have a pressing crisis for regime change with a lawless opportunist named Bush, who never admits a mistake or confesses a lie. Bush makes a mockery of the rule of law and American values, deceiving America about Iraq and a host of other issues in order to continue abusing the public trust.