Former Ney Aide Pleads Guilty to Corruption

WASHINGTON — Court documents filed Monday by federal prosecutors said Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) repeatedly took official action either for or at the request of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff in return for trips, tickets, meals and other gratuities.

The allegations were detailed as part of a guilty plea to corruption charges by Neil G. Volz, a former top aide to the Ohio lawmaker. Though the filings do not charge Ney with a crime, major portions of the plea agreement spell out in new detail how prosecutors say the former aide got the congressman to do Abramoff's bidding.

Prosecutors said Volz, Abramoff and their colleagues would work out what they wanted Ney to do or say, then Volz would tell Ney and the congressman did what they asked. This allegedly included work on legislation sought or opposed by Abramoff clients.

Volz, who worked under Ney for seven years before taking a job with Abramoff, took illegal gifts while he was a federal employee. Once Volz became a lobbyist, prosecutors said, he gave illegal gifts to Ney and his former colleagues.

The plea agreement refers only to a "Representative #1," but Ney's lawyers acknowledge that it is their client.

If indicted, Ney would be the first member of Congress charged in the lobbying scandal that has engulfed Capitol Hill.

Ney, who repeatedly has denied any wrongdoing, issued a statement Monday saying that Volz was "under tremendous pressure from the government" and that he was "saddened" at the day's developments.

Ney's press secretary, Brian Walsh, said the congressman "has said from Day One that he has done absolutely nothing illegal" and that he would continue his campaign for reelection. Ney has maintained that he was duped by Abramoff.

Ney's lawyers said Monday that he had not taken any official action in return for bribes or gratuities. Many of the charges, said lawyer Mark Tuohey, "are simply not true."

"If Neil [Volz] crossed an ethical line, he did so without Congressman Ney's knowledge," Walsh said.

In court documents filed Monday, however, prosecutors cited instances in which Volz admitted to soliciting bribes or taking illegal trips with Ney's "knowledge and consent."

For instance, Volz said, while he worked for Ney he asked lobbyist Tony C. Rudy to get him four tickets to a U2 concert. Rudy, a former aide to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and bribery charges.