Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Abramoff Scandal
Rep. Ney lashes out after former staffer pleads


Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) and his lawyers mounted a defense campaign on Monday after a former staffer pleaded guilty to a corruption conspiracy in connection with the Jack Abramoff scandal.

Neil G. Volz, 35, admitted to breaking federal laws while he worked for Ney and when he was a lobbyist for tribes and other clients. He said Ney agreed to take official acts -- including legislation to benefit two Texas tribes, legislation for a Congressional medal for a tribal leader, opposition to an Indian gaming study and calls to the Bush administration on behalf of a tribe -- in exchange for "things of value," such as overseas trips and campaign contributions.

In response, Ney and his lawyers said Volz, Abramoff and the others lobbyists who have pleaded guilty are fabricating information. "They�re making it up, they�re just flat making it up," a lawyer said in a teleconference call with reporters, the first time Ney's attorneys have talked openly with the media.

Ney called Volz a "friend" and said he was "saddened" by the guilty plea. He said his former staffer was "under tremendous pressure" by the federal government's probe into Abramoff. But he was adamant that he will be cleared by the Department of Justice.

An in his first major television appearance, on FOX News, he said he doesn't think he will be indicted.

Ney is seeking re-election and has said he won't step down even if he were indicted. He was forced to give up his post as chairman of the House Administration Committee due to his legal woes.

Get the Story:
Guilty plea sharpens focus on Ney (The Hill 5/9)
Guilty Plea By Former Aide Brings Abramoff Probe Closer to Rep. Ney (The Wall Street Journal 5/9)
Former Aide to Rep. Ney Pleads Guilty (The Washington Post 5/9)
pwpwd
Ex-Aide With Abramoff Ties Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy (The New York Times 5/9)
pwnyt
Ney�s Ex-Chief Pleads Guilty (The Wheeling News-Register 5/9)
Attorney: 'They're just making it up'Attorney: 'They're just making it up' (Copley Washington Bureau 5/9)
Ex-aide to Ney pleads guilty to U.S. charges (The Dayton Daily News 5/9)
pwday
Former Ney Aide Pleads Guilty to Corruption (The Los Angeles Times 5/9)
pwday
Former aide to Rep. Ney pleads guilty (AP 5/8)

Court Documents:
Charge of Information | Guilty Plea | Factual Proffer

Relevant Links:
Rep. Bob Ney - http://ney.house.gov

Related Stories:
Another guilty plea from Team Abramoff (5/8)
Rep. Ney wins GOP primary amid Abramoff woes (5/3)
Rep. Ney faces wider probe in Abramoff scandal (5/1)
Judge to read Abramoff e-mails in ex-official's case (4/27)
Rep. Ney denies 'tit for tat' in Abramoff scandal (4/24)
Sen. Coburn expects seven lawmakers to go to jail (04/20)
Lobbyist traded on DeLay's name to get tribal money (04/03)
Ex-DeLay aide, Abramoff associate, pleads guilty (03/31)
Abramoff not slowing down Burns, DeLay or Ney (03/03)
Abramoff tried to exploit tribes for Washington project (02/13)
Lawmakers are targeted in round two of Abramoff (02/06)
Rep. Ney to make re-election announcement (01/26)
Rep. Ney trying to convince DOJ he is not guilty (01/17)
GOP Congressman latest casualty in Abramoff scandal (01/16)
Abramoff pleads guilty in Washington lobbying scandal (01/04)
Rep. Ney returns Tigua money, just not to Tiguas (12/16)
Bush discusses Abramoff tribal lobbying scandal (12/15)
McCain expects 'lots' of indictments in Abramoff case (12/05)
Ohio Congressman not worried about Abramoff probe (12/01)
Ad campaign highlights Rep. Ney's ties to Abramoff (11/30)
Editorial: Corruption scheme and Rep. Bob Ney (11/28)
Salon: Is the end near for Congressman Ney? (11/23)
Ney: 'Why would I hurt an Indian tribe?' (11/23)
Plea deal raises more questions about scandal (11/22)
Ohio Congressman at center of bribery scheme (11/22)
Scanlon pleads guilty in lobbying probe (11/21)
Abramoff lobbying inquiry far from over (11/18)
Ohio Congressman sets up Abramoff defense fund (11/8)
Ohio Congressman subpoenaed in Abramoff case (11/7)
Ohio Congressman denies Abramoff allegations (10/20)
Ohio Congressman swept into Abramoff investigation (10/18)
Ohio Congressman sought 'cover' for golf trip (09/26)
Ohio Congressman vouched for indicted Abramoff pal (08/16)
Authorities feared Abramoff would flee to Israel (8/15)
Scanlon not on Abramoff's golf trip to Scotland (8/15)
Ads target Ney for role in Abramoff scandal (06/16)
Tigua Tribe feels 'betrayed' by Jack Abramoff (06/13)
Ney's role in Abramoff scandal puts him in jeopardy (06/06)
Ralph Reed played tribes against each other (06/06)
Commentary: Ney just a 'friend' of Jack Abramoff (05/24)
Lawyer: Abramoff did nothing wrong in Washington (05/23)
Bloomberg: Abramoff tribes gave $1.4M to Congress (05/19)
Tribal funds helped Abramoff's failed Jewish school (05/18)
Complaint drafted for Ney's role in Tigua scam (05/17)
Column: Ney investigated for Abramoff donations (5/11)
Abramoff lobbying scandal prompts look at rules (5/9)
Jack Abramoff breaks silence on lobbying scandal (5/2)
McCain won't touch lawmakers in probe of Abramoff (4/28)
Ney signed onto bill after using tribe's luxury suite (4/28)
Foe of Texas tribes denies knowing Abramoff (4/18)
Tigua Tribe settles dispute over Abramoff fees (02/14)
Probe sought of Congressman linked to lobbyists (01/07)
Editorial: Ney's judgment 'clouded' by Abramoff (12/20)
Ney to meet with ethics panel over Abramoff ties (12/16)
Congressman subject of inquiry for Abramoff ties (12/15)
Editorial: Ney not exactly a victim in Tigua case (12/03)
Former Ney chief of staff worked with Abramoff (11/19)
High-priced lobbyist scam linked to lawmakers (11/18)
Tigua Tribe to testify at Senate lobbying hearing (11/16)
Tigua Tribe mum on Washington lobbyists (10/12)
Texas AG asked to investigate Abramoff, Scanlon (10/1)
Ex-tribal lobbyists slammed in Senate hearing (9/30)
Tigua Tribe outraged over being played as 'moronic' (9/28)
Tribes told to donate to lobbyists' foundation (9/28)
Lobbyists worked for, against 'moronic' Tiguas (9/27)
Senate hearing on tribal lobbying probe set (8/26)
Busy Indian Affairs Committee hits snag on big issues (06/17)
Indian Affairs Committee activity this week (6/15)
Indian Country awaits outcome of lobbying probe (05/18)