WASHINGTON - Republican congressman Bob Ney became the first lawmaker to be convicted in the US bribery scandal involving Jack Abramoff. Ney pleaded guilty Friday in the scandal that has tainted the credibility of the Republican-dominated Congress. The scandal has also affected the Bush administration.
Ney pleaded guilty to conspiracy as well as to making untrue statements. He admitted his crimes before Judge Ellen S. Huvelle and accepted the fact that he had received money, gifts and favors in kind for making favorable decisions that benefited Abramoff and his clients directly or indirectly.
"I never intended my career in public service to end this way, and I am ashamed it did," Ney said in a statement that was released just minutes after he admitted his guilt. “I accept responsibility for my actions, and I am prepared to face the consequences of what I have done." Although Ney said he would resign from the Congress in a few weeks, the White House has urged him to do so forthwith.
"He ought to resign," said White House spokesman Tony Snow. "I think it's important that everybody, be it Democrats or Republicans -- if you have money in your freezer or skeletons in your closet, you better make sure that you're taking care of what's going on."
Ney had already intimated that he would not be seeking re-election a couple of months ago following the probe launched by the U.S. Justice Department, which examined his link to the convicted lobbyist. The 52-year-old could face 27 months in prison when his sentencing takes place in January.
Ney was the chairman of the House Administration Committee till January. This powerful post gave him access to awarding contracts for work on the Capitol and under Abramoff's influence he seems to have done just that.
Ney could in fact have had a 10-year sentence if he had been found guilty after a trial. Meanwhile it is reported that House Speaker Dennis Hastert and other Republican leaders are anxious that Ney resign immediately. Already the GOP is battling the scandal caused by Mark Foley's interest in pages and this new scandal put a further dent in the Republican hopes of capturing both houses in the November elections.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California demanded Ney's immediate resignation. "House Republican leaders have a long pattern of protecting Republican members. It is long past time for a new direction that restores integrity and civility to the House," she said in a statement.
