Ney Says He's Confident He'll Be Cleared

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05358/627561.stm

Ohio congressman says he'll be cleared in probe


WASHINGTON -- Rep. Bob Ney of Bellaire, Ohio, a focus of the criminal investigation into Jack Abramoff's lobbying, says he's had no conversations with the Justice Department and believes its probe will clear him of any wrongdoing.

"Look, I don't take this lightly," Ney said in an interview yesterday after returning from a visit to Iraq. "I have not changed my stripes. I'm doing my job. I commute back home. I go out around the district. Nothing has changed for me."

Mr. Abramoff is negotiating a plea agreement with prosecutors, and a deal is expected by his Jan. 9 court date. Abramoff partner Michael Scanlon pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to commit bribery and identified gifts and donations Ney received in exchange for his support for their clients.

The Republican chairman of the House Administration Committee said he isn't bothered by what Mr. Abramoff might do. He acknowledged that the Justice Department has subpoenaed documents from his office, but he said he's not "sat down with them."