Rep. Ney pleads guilty, 27 months in jail

via CNN

Republican Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio pleaded guilty Friday to federal charges in the congressional investigation into corruption and bribery involving disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, according to the Justice Department.

Ney pleaded guilty to conspiracy and making false statements in a deal in which he will cooperate with the Justic Department's influence peddling investigation.

The plea deal was filed Friday morning in U.S. District Court in Washington.

The Justice Department and Ney's lawyers agreed on a sentencing recommendation of 27 months in prison, provided Ney continues to cooperate, but the final sentence will be determined by a federal judge.

Rep. Bob Ney is the first member of Congress to plead guilty to federal charges in connection to illegal lobbyist activities in relation to Jack Abramoff. Remember Jack Abramoff was a host of a fund raiser for Rep. Vito Fossella back in 2002. Abramoff also hired Neil Volz, who has already plead guilty, after he left his job with Rep. Bob Ney. Neil Volz made two donations to Rep. Vito Fossella. Finally each winter Rep. Vito Fossella went on lavish ski trips to Vail, Colorado as a guest of Rep. Bob Ney's. Rep. Vito Fossella was one of only three other members of Congress to go on these trips where they meet with various lobbyists trying to influence legislation. Stephen Harrison's job is now connecting Fossella with Ney and Abramoff. It won't be hard to create doubt in the minds of voters about the ethical standing of their Congressman. Getting the truth about that baseball game and those trips to Vail will require some work though.