Ohio's Rep. Bob Ney resigns

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio, who pleaded guilty last month in the Jack Abramoff influence-peddling investigation resigned his seat in Congress on Friday.

The Ohio Republican, who had been pressed to quit by fellow lawmakers, sent a letter of resignation to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, according to Ney's chief of staff, David Popp.

"I can confirm the letter has been delivered to the speaker," Popp said in an electronic mail message to The Associated Press. The speaker's office would not confirm whether it had received the letter.

Ney pleaded guilty Oct. 13 to conspiracy and making false statements, acknowledging taking trips, tickets, meals and campaign donations from disgraced lobbyist Abramoff in return for official actions on behalf of Abramoff clients.  House Republicans had threatened to expel Ney if he didn't quit by the time lawmakers returned to Washington after Tuesday's elections. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said Ney's resignation four days before the elections was late.

Pelosi issued a statement following the resignation, saying, "The Republican leadership has allowed Bob Ney to receive his paycheck and benefits for seven weeks after his admission of guilt to criminal conspiracy charges -- it is an embarrassment to this institution and an insult to the American taxpayer.  House Republican leaders have a long pattern of covering up and protecting Republican Members, and their culture of corruption comes at great cost to the American people."  She added, "Mr. Ney is the fourth senior Republican to have resigned amid scandal in the 109th Congress. Democrats have a New Direction that would bring integrity and civility back to the U.S. House of Representatives."

Politics Click here to share your thoughts on political matters, including the economic crisis and what you think Congress and president can do about the problems.

Ney's letter, printed under his House letterhead, said, "Having completed all outstanding work in my congressional office, I now hereby resign from the United States House of Representatives effective close of business on Friday, Nov. 3, 2006."

MORE FROM POLITICS

Politics Section Front

Sotomayor gears up for Senate grilling NYT: Hearings open window on judge's acumen House health plan to boost taxes on rich Clinton aims to retake center stage Newsweek: How Sotomayor defused hearing tension Obama seeks $12B for community colleges Sotomayor pushes back on GOP’s bias claim House lays groundwork for CIA probe Sen. Ensign to seek re-election Nominee's temperament called into question Politics Section Front   Add Politics headlines to your news reader: