It looks like Bob Ney (R-Ohio) is being investigated for bribery charges. Earlier this week, lobbyist Michael Scanlon pleaded guilty in a deal in which he has been talking to the justice department. It looks like he's fingered Ney in this investigation.

The case comes from high-powered lobbyist Jack Abramoff and Scanlon, both people who used to work for Tom Delay. While it looks like charges are going to be levied and against Ney, according to WaPo, Delay and others are being looked over pretty thoroughly. Senator Conrad Burn (R-Montana) and Rep. John Doolittle (R-Ca) are also in the hot seat.

The connections run deep it would appear. While they say there's no connection, Both Delay's and Doolittle's wife benefitted from their relationship with Abramoff. Doolittle's wife received payments and Delay's wife worked for a lobbying firm who received referrals from Abramoff... talk about a conflict of interest.

An attorney for DeLay, whose wife worked for a lobbying firm that received client referrals from Abramoff, said there was no connection between her work and congressional business. A spokesman for Doolittle, whose wife received payments from Abramoff's lobbying firm, also said there was no connection with her husband's position. Burns's office has said his actions were consistent with his support for improving conditions for Indian tribes.

This scandal continues to get deeper and one truly wonders who else it will touch. These powerful lobbyists have deep roots throughout the congress. It remainst to be seen whether they will roll over on others, including Delay or if Ney is the lamb heading for the slaughter.

posted by Stithmeister @ 12:24 PM
 
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