Robert Ney

==Background==
* R
* from Ohio
* Formerly in the US House for six terms
* Associated with Jack Abramoff, lobbyist
====
* Judge said Ney had "seriously betrayed the public's trust. Judge told Ney: "You have a long way to go to make amends for what's happened."
==Insights==
===Ex-Ohio Rep. Ney Sentenced to 30 Months===
:By James V. Grimaldi, Washington Post, 
[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/19/AR2007011900162_pf.html
 Washington Post in January 2007]
A federal judge ordered former
Congressman Robert W. Ney (R-Ohio) to
serve 30 months in prison for accepting
gifts, favors and campaign contributions
in exchange for official actions, making
the six-term congressman the first
elected official to be sent to prison in
the influence-peddling investigation
of lobbyist Jack Abramoff's activities.
U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle
rejected the recommendations of both
prosecutors, who asked for a 27-month term,
and Ney's lawyers, who sought leniency.
Instead, Huvelle doled out a slightly
tougher 2 1/2 -year sentence because,
she said, Ney had "seriously betrayed the
public's trust. "Huvelle told Ney: "You have
a long way to go to make amends for what's
happened."
The former chairman of the powerful House
Administration Committee, Ney, 52, pleaded
guilty in October to one count each of
conspiracy and making false statements.
He admitted using his elected office to
perform official acts in exchange for a
series of gifts, including a lavish golf
trip to Scotland, skybox tickets to sporting
events, meals at lobbyist Abramoff's pricey
downtown restaurant and campaign contributions
from Abramoff and his clients.
The judge also ordered Ney to serve two years
probation and perform community service after
his release from federal prison and pay a
$6,000 fine.
"Both your constituents and the public trusted
you to represent them honestly," Huvelle said.
Ney, whose attorneys last fall said he was
beginning treatment for alcohol dependence,
apologized to his family, friends and
constituents during brief comments in open court.
"I will continue to take full responsibility,
accept the consequences and battle the demons of
addiction that are within me," Ney said.
Alice S. Fisher, assistant attorney general
in charge of the criminal division, echoed
the federal judge, saying Ney abused the
public trust.
"Today's sentence makes it clear that our
government is not for sale," Fisher said.
category:Ney