Ohio Republican Bob Ney must be in some deep stage of denial. How else do you explain the shocking fact that he’s still a member of Congress?
Ney stopped prevaricating last week and admitted to improperly accepting tens of thousands of dollars worth of trips, meals, sports tickets and casino chips to do the bidding of lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a foreign aviation company.
Ney soiled the reputation of Congress when he broke the law, and the public trust.
“He betrayed his constituents, he betrayed the body and there’s no place for him in the Congress,” said Rep. Deborah Pryce, the House’s fourth-ranking Republican.
Ney is expected to plead guilty Oct. 13 to making false statements, conspiracy to commit fraud and violating U.S. lobbying restrictions. He could spend 27 months in prison.
Ney is undergoing treatment for alcohol abuse, but should he choose he could still vote on the House floor and he’s still collecting a paycheck from taxpayers.
His lawyer says Ney has no plans to resign. (He isn’t seeking re-election.) How self-centered can one man be?
Ney’s continuing presence hurts Republicans who want to see the GOP congressional scandals shifted off the front page. He has only one option. He should do what’s right.
