Ex-Rep. Bob Ney Gets 30 Months In Jail

Former Ohio GOP Congressman Sentenced For Role In Abramoff Corruption Scandal

(CBS/AP)  Former Rep. Bob Ney was sentenced Friday to 30 months in federal prison for his role in a congressional bribery scandal.

Ney was the first member of Congress to plead guilty to corruption charges in the scandal revolving around Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff – but that investigation continues and he might not be the last, CBS News correspondent Bob Fuss reports.

Ney admitted he took gifts, meals, free trips and even gambling chips from those who wanted favors, including Abramoff. Ney, who was an influential member of the House Republican leadership, denied wrongdoing right up until he accepted a plea bargain, after which he immediately entered an alcohol rehabilitation program.

He asked the judge for leniency, saying his drinking led to his corruption.

U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle said that Ney would serve his time at a federal prison in Morgantown, West Virginia.

When he is released, the judge said, Ney will serve another two years on probation and pay a $6,000 fine. She also ordered him into a prison alcohol rehabilitation program.

The sentence was harsher than recommended by prosecutors or Ney's lawyers, Huvelle said, because Ney had violated the trust place on him as a public official. "Both your constituents and the public trusted you to represent them honestly," she said.

Ney apologized to his family and constituents during a brief speech to the judge.

"I will continue to take full responsibility, accept the consequences and battle the demons of addiction that are within me," he said.

Abramoff, once an influential lobbyist, is the star witness in an FBI corruption investigation that has shaken Capitol Hill. He is serving prison time for a fraudulent Florida casino deal.

Ney's plea in the election-year scandal drew criticism from Republican congressional leaders and the White House. White House spokesman Tony Snow said Ney's criminal activity "is not a reflection of the Republican Party."

Ney pleaded guilty to conspiracy and making false statements. He is the latest in a string of men convicted in a scandal that so far has caught several lobbyists and two members of the Bush administration.

The gifts Ney received ranged from a trip to Scotland bankrolled by Abramoff's clients to thousands of dollars in gambling chips Ney got on two overseas junkets from foreign businessman Fouad al-Zayat, a Syrian-born aviation company owner in Cyprus.

"I allowed myself to get too comfortable with the way things have been done in Washington, D.C., for too long," Ney said in a written statement after his previous court appearance.

[jimibear]

One corrupt politician down, many thousands to go ...

[jhindson1]

What a scumbag! Blaming his behaviour on alcohol means he has not changed and is not sorry. Just a lame attempt at diverting his personal responsibility.

[rharrin1]

With all the judges and connections in place it's not possible for a republican to get a stiff sentence.

Look around people that rob a convenience store for 20 dollars gets more time than these legal crooks.

Probably go to a country club jail to boot.

Wow - a corrupt politician - and a Republican as well. What a surprise.

[raboz146]

I wonder if his Congressional Pension is paid while he is in prison or do they wait until he is released?

[rational12]

What's the penalty for bank robbery? Which is more harmful to our society, bank robbery or political corruption?

I dare say the latter.

Thirty months is not harsh enough; stealing public funds and vote-selling should net a far, far more severe penalty, commensurate with the damage caused our country.

[webdepot]

"White House spokesman Tony Snow said Ney's criminal activity "is not a reflection of the Republican Party."

Wellllll... yes and no... Ney's criminal activity seems to be indicative of politicians in general... this latest round of investigations however, are starting to show the Republicans have honed corruption into a fine art form...



"I allowed myself to get too comfortable with the way things have been done in Washington, D.C., for too long," Ney said in a written statement after his previous court appearance.

This seems to be saying the corruption has been ongoing for years...


"Ney also asked Huvelle to rule that his corruption was influenced by alcohol addiction."

What the hell is in the halls of Congress... a freakin' bunch of drunkards... Obviously they are getting paid way too much..!!!

[ceekuei]

Organized political crime is the American way besides burgers and fries and mum's apple pie.

[chicabear1]

The sentence is nothing more than a slap on the wrist. Naughty, naughty Ney! Be a good boy and play fair and honest or you'll have to sit on the naughty chair! LOL!

[webdepot]

Equity in sentencing in this country has never been something to brag about... It is quite obvious personal animosity or personal acceptance (gee too bad you were caught, but I gotta do some kind of punishment) of prosecutors/judges figures in some sentences just as in this case.

When some crack head with a nickel bag of dope can draw a stiffer sentence than a murderer, something is drastically wrong..

Punishment befitting the crime does not exist in this country... for the most part..

[mahasana]

The Radical Christial Extremists never apologize for their wrongdoings. They blame the devil or a demon addiction for their ways and refuse to take responsibility for misusing their free will. They are crackpots, the lot of them. Given the power, they push their *** down your throat (with a sappy smile and no matter how hard you protest.) Just study our President.

[jimibear]

"I wonder if his Congressional Pension is paid while he is in prison or do they wait until he is released?
Posted by raboz146 at 10:30 AM : Jan 19, 2007
+ report this comment"


Actually (and refreshingly) the newly-introduced "Duke Cunningham Bill" (named after another corrupt Republican)would strip pensions from congresspeople convicted of corruption. They would lose their pensions if found guilty of:

"bribery of public officials and witnesses, offenses related to officers and employees acting as agents of foreign principals, conspiracy to commit any of the above crimes, conspiracy to violate post-employment restrictions statutes and perjury in falsely denying any of the above."


The bill was introduced by a Democrat, of course. Nancy Boyda of Kansas. Here's the story:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,244339,00.html

Even Fox News couldn't find a pro-Republican slant in this one.

[luvny-2009]

hummm Morgantown WV, isn't that close to the border of Ohio? How conveniently close to his home state.

[tejasdemo]

The demons of addiction ? It should have been 30 years.

[rafterman1]

"hummm Morgantown WV, isn't that close to the border of Ohio? How conveniently close to his home state."

Actually, that's what the Bureau of Prosns does when they assign prisons to convicts. They try and find the closest one to the prisoner's home so that family can visit easier and such.

[scouser691]

Just like Mark Foley he falls back on the alcohol excuse. Isn't the Republican party supposed to be the party of "personal responsibility" or does that only apply when you're up on the pulpit moralizing to the common folk.

[getserious1]

Doesn't matter what party he belonged to, how about let's give a cheer that 'someone' is going to jail for being a crooked politician. Now, if we can just get rid of the other several hundred (likely thousands if including more than national), crooks and get honest folks elected (and yes, both dems and repubs ARE equally crooked), perhaps we could move this country in a good direction.

[hillaryin08]

Harry Reid, your turn is next. If you run, you will only get tired.

[bluestardad]

When is Mark Foley going to Jail too?

[macusweil]

Three geers for the GOP( Gas, Oil & Petrolium) !!

[hillaryin08]

He will probably go to jail too. He and Dingy Harry can be cell mates and write a book together called "Culture of Corruption"

[hillaryin08]

macusweil

Every time you touch those plastic keys you support big oil

[jumkey]

Sorry getserious1, the Republicans are FAR more corrupt in every way then the Democrats. The evidence shows this.

I know you'd like to tar everyone with the same brush to hide Republican corruption but the people going to jail are REPUBLICANS. And more will go soon.

The Republican Party is anti-American and the party of corruption and greed.

[pkmr-2009]

AMEN AMEN AMEN, jindson1!!!!! I couldn't agree more. As if alcohol is to blame HA! Nobody poured the booze down his corrupted throat! He went to the liquor store, bought the booze and drank it himself. that's a deliberate act. so is taking bribes. If he took bribes when he was drunk, why didn't he stop when he was sober? what a lame, pathetic naive excuse. What's even worse is that he actually thinks the American public will buy his excuse! Only his fellow drunks, I guess. LOSER!!

[gunnerv1]

I don't care what party you are with, if you are corrupt, you go to jail, period!!!! We should clean house about every four years anyway (do I hear "Term Limits).

[gunnerv1]

Dear Jumkey, Prove out your statement, after all this is more or less a "soapbox" debate area

[jimibear]

"I don't care what party you are with, if you are corrupt, you go to jail, period!!!! We should clean house about every four years anyway (do I hear "Term Limits).
Posted by gunnerv1 at 12:02 PM : Jan 19, 2007"

Agreed 100% on the first point. On the second, I would like to see a system like the British one for party leadership, where a general election can be called if the leadership fails to pass a vote of confidence.

But what I would really like to see is a system set up where if more than a specified percentage (maybe 20%?) registered voters in a precinct sign a petition so advocating, an election can be run mid-term and a person can be voted out. That would be a voter-driven "vote of no confidence", applicable on every level from local to national.

We wouldn't need term limits if politicians could be held accountable like the rest of us are in our jobs. How many of you hold a job where you are told "You're here for 4 years, no matter how badly you *** up?" I know I don't.

[jimibear]

Jumkey, both parties are corrupt. The Republicans have been the ones with the real power the last 6 years, so they have had the scope to exercise their corruption and are the ones getting caught.

All politicians are crooks, although I grant you that the current administration is either much worse or simply much more obvious than others.

[inventagod]

The Bu$h 'Pardon Manuscript' is growing each day...

[randalds]

Every time you touch those plastic keys you support big oil

Posted by hillaryin08 at 11:35 AM : Jan 19, 2007

You're getting ridiculous with this "supporting big oil" garbage. It's not possible to live in modern America without using some oil based products, but that fact doesn't mean we should just bend over and let "big oil" screw us anytime they want to. They're still profit gouging as*sholes. Your point is moot.

[randalds]

Don't drop the soap in the shower Bob, unless of course you're into that sort of thing. Just don't expect them to be too gentle.

[specimenfred]

ANOTHER REPUB GOES DOWN, HAHAHAHAHA!

[observantx]

Morgantown is a minimum security facility. Dorm housing, little or no fencing. I'd be surprised if there wasn't a tennis court and a spa.

This Repugnican thief stole thousands of dollars. If you or I did that, we'd be trying to keep our backs to wall and stay virgin in a real prison. I don't mean to kick someone when they are down, but this kid glove treatment has got to stop. Until these creeps serve real time, they will continue to take bribes, lie, commit fraud, and waste more taxpayer money on ppork and earmarks for their handlers.

Oh, and please, no more whining about drinking. It's not an excuse.

[randalds]

Jefferson Dla will be next...or did you libs forget about "ol cold cash".
Posted by b48151 at 01:29 PM : Jan 19, 2007

And if found guilty he certainly should go to prison. Or did you neocons forget that democrats believe in justice for all? I know you don't, but we still do.

Also since he's a black man what to you want to bet he's given a harder sentence and goes to a real prison?

[j-whitman]

B18451 ,,,, Jefferson still hasn't been charged for anything, when he is, hang him.... Why is'nt he charged yet after all this time b18451 ??

[antoniof123]

30 months what the ***** is going on he should have got 30 years. I am so sick of these Republicans getting light sentences while others who commit lessor crimes go to jail for many years. It is time to bring a close to these type of people.

[j-whitman]

b18451,,, Looks like another Bush appointee Bit the bullet - The head of the GSA, Evangelist Lurita Alexis Doan.. Giving No-Bid Contracts to friends.

[j-whitman]

b18451,,, Look who's going after the people selling classified materials to the enemy - Senator John Kerry,,, Duncan Hunter knew of the problem since 1999 (I told him & gave him the evidence) DUNCAN HUNTER DID NOTHING

[luvny-2009]

ObservantX - Morgantown is a minimum security facility. Dorm housing, little or no fencing. I'd be surprised if there wasn't a tennis court and a spa

CR@P...I was hoping it would be where he could maybe be Bubba's new girlfriend.

[bildooreilly]

What's with abramoff and the funny hats? It's like some sort of signal to his gangster politician buddies... it's so obvious...

[bluestardad]

How is your HINDSIGHT? Mr. Foley wants to help you.

[j-whitman]

Hind sight,, ROTFLOL

[huskerarmy]

"Jefferson Dla will be next...or did you libs forget about "ol cold cash"."

I once stood in a line for Zepplin tickes that was shorter than the one the neo-cons are forming at the prison bus door...

[govslug]

Ney played his cards right - all of a sudden, after he was indited, he created a drinking problem (surely on the advise of a prison management coach). Now he will be eligible for a year off his sentence for completing drug treatment! He is still working the system!

Someone should check to see if his substance abuse problem is legit! Where is Heraldo when you need him???

[randalds]

I once stood in a line for Zepplin tickes that was shorter than the one the neo-cons are forming at the prison bus door...
Posted by huskerarmy at 03:11 PM : Jan 19, 2007

Never saw Zepplin live. FU*CK!!! One of the great disappointments of my life. True word.

[tibu987]

What I find most disgusting with the abundance of creeps in Washington is their sanctimonious, arrogant, can't touch me in my ivory tower,
manner. Like their criminal cohorts, the Catholic
sexual predators, they somehow, against all reason, accept what they do. Preying on children or preying on your contituents are both serious crimes that should be dealt with more harshly.
'Nuff said.

[annd2302]

luvNY Gee, luvNY, that is over-kill, huh? Or is that thing common place in NY?

b48151 wrote:

"Kinda like Clinton did in his final days..."

Yep. Clinton was a lying, cheating, piece of *** - but the funny thing is, that GW Bush is still 20 times worse then him.

And a complete moron as well.

Impeach that sob Bush.

[randalds]

Yep. Clinton was a lying, cheating, piece of *** - but the funny thing is, that GW Bush is still 20 times worse then him.

And a complete moron as well.

Impeach that sob Bush.

Posted by mcdazz at 07:50 PM : Jan 19, 2007

And at least he only screwed women, instead of *** over the whole country like Bush has.

[the74blaster]

b48151 wrote:

"Kinda like Clinton did in his final days..."

Anyone that makes this comparison does not have the facts. Comparing the Clinton presidency to the Bush presidency is a joke.

The difference is Clinton had some sucessful programs and ended his term with the federal government running an annual surplus of 234 billion.

Can anyone name a Bush success? We already know the numbers that describe the sea of red ink the Bush adminstration has created!