Ney embroiled in more scandal, should step down from chairmanship

Tuesday, January 3, 2006

HASTERT SHOULD STEP IN!

NEY EMBROILED IN MORE SCANDAL;

FOR GOOD OF COUNTRY, NEY SHOULD FOLLOW DeLAY LEAD & STEP DOWN FROM COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIP

For Immediate Release January 3, 2006
Contact: Brian Rothenberg, Comm. Dir. Phone: 614-221-6563

COLUMBUS – With the revelation by the Department of Justice today that indicted Lobbyist Jack Abramoff has agreed to a plea deal and published reports that Congressman Bob Ney (R-Heath) is one of the main legislators mentioned in the Abramoff case, the Ohio Democratic Party called on Mr. Ney to step down from his powerful House Administration Committee Chairmanship in Congress.

The plea deal released earlier today appears to refers to influence peddling and references a Congressman as "Representative No. 1" who took trips to Scotland. Ney was previously reported to have been on the receiving end of a trip to Scotland involving Abramoff and his clients.

“Congressman DeLay has set the standard for indicted Congressman by stepping aside, with an ethics cloud of prosecutors circling, Bob Ney should do the same,” said Chris Redfern, Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party.

“Bob Ney is dragging the nation through sordid articles, ethical questions and the legal scrutiny as it increasingly leads to a likely indictment. He arrogantly claims he is duped and that these allegations are political. But we are pretty clear as these allegations unravel that this isn’t political, it is criminal,” said Mr. Redfern.

Rep. Ney according to recent FEC reports arranged for his campaign to pay $135,881 in legal fees in connection with federal and Miami based investigations into his actions.

“If Bob Ney doesn’t voluntarily step down from his Committee Chairmanship, Speaker Hastert should force the matter,” said Mr. Redfern. “When you look at the allegations involving Mr. Abramoff, it is clear that the influence of Congressmen appear to be the basis for the plea bargain. Bob Ney shouldn’t be in that position of influence unless he is cleared.”