WASHINGTON – Former Ohio Republican Rep. Robert Ney was sentenced Friday to 30 months in prison, becoming the first member of Congress headed for jail because of his corrupt dealings with now-convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
U.S. District Judge Ellen Huvelle handed down a slightly tougher sentence than the 27 months recommended by prosecutors, telling Ney that, “as a member of Congress, you had the responsibility above all else to set an example and to uphold the law.”
Ney became a symbol of the corruption that aroused voters and helped sweep into Congress a new Democratic majority promising ethics reform.
The former chairman of the House Administration Committee admitted he performed official acts for Abramoff’s lobbying clients between 2001 and 2003, receiving in exchange luxury vacation trips, skybox seats at sporting events, campaign contributions, expensive meals – as well as tens of thousands of dollars in gambling chips from an international businessman who sought his help with the State Department.
In the continuing probe, Ney and seven others have pleaded guilty or been convicted, and several are cooperating witnesses. In addition to the government’s chief witness, Abramoff, they include Ney’s former chief of staff, Neil Volz, and two other Capitol Hill staffers who once worked for former Majority Leader Tom DeLay. All three had joined Abramoff’s lobbying team at the Greenberg, Traurig law firm.
More charges are expected soon. Prosecutors recently notified a former deputy secretary of the Interior Department, Steven Griles, that he is a target, sources knowledgeable about the probe said.
Ney told the judge Friday he regretted his actions and apologized to his family and to the voters who sent him to Washington.
“I will continue to take full responsibility for my actions and battle the demons of addiction,” he said, referring to the alcohol problem he has sought treatment for in recent months. Ney’s physician and a former staffer wrote letters to Huvelle describing heavy drinking.
Judge Huvelle agreed to a defense request that Ney serve his term in a federal prison in Morgantown, W. Va., where he can receive alcohol treatment. She ordered him to pay a $6,000 fine, remain on probation for two years after his release and participate in supervised community service.
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