Disgraced Congressman Bob Ney stood before a federal judge Friday and admitted he took campaign contributions, expensive meals, luxury travel and other favors to do the bidding of lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a foreign aviation company.
The Ohio Republican admitted to selling his integrity and the public trust. As a committee chairman, he is second in influence only to former Majority Leader Tom DeLay among scandal-tainted lawmakers.
Yet here’s a staggering thought – he’s still in Congress.
Ney on Friday pleaded guilty to corruption charges of conspiracy and making a false statement. His resignation is imperative, but he lacks the morals and good judgment to give up the $165,000 salary.
Ney hasn’t even been honorable in admitting his crimes. Last month, he blamed the booze and entered rehab. Friday he said he accepted responsibility for his actions, then blamed the culture in D.C. and Abramoff. “I never acted to enrich myself or get things I shouldn’t, but over time allowed myself to get too comfortable with the way things have been done in Washington for too long,” he said in a statement.
Ney said he’ll resign before he’s sentenced in January. His colleagues, Republicans and Democrats alike, should save him the trouble by ousting him the minute they return to work after the election.
