Federal prosecutors signaled this week that they have decided to pursue a wide range of allegations about dealings between Rep. Robert W. Ney (R-Ohio) and lobbyist Jack Abramoff, rather than bringing a narrowly focused bribery case against the congressman....
...At the same time, Ney accepted many favors from Abramoff, among them campaign contributions, dinners at the lobbyist's downtown restaurant, skybox fundraisers -- including one at his then-MCI Center box the month after Boulis's murder -- and a lavish golf junket to Scotland in August 2002.
Ney was directly implicated by three of the four who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and bribery charges: Abramoff, Scanlon and Rudy. Kidan's attorney said his client also would testify against Ney if asked....
We will have to simply wait and see how Ney's legal problems play out.
****Republican Rep. Deborah Pryce (OH-15) is trying to play tough when it comes to foreign investors. The Financial Times has this:
Acknowledging that the Bush administration had made "disappointing mis-steps" in its handling of the Dubai transaction, Deborah Pryce, a Republican who chairs the subcommittee that oversees Cfius, said at a hearing yesterday that Congress could not allow national security concerns to "morph into protectionism".
Pryce talked tough before the Dubai Port deal too, but then she followed the directions of Hastert, Boehner, DeLay, and the White House when she voted against tougher port security.
What will Pryce do with regard to foreign investment? She follow the orders of her Republican leadership, and be their rubber stamp.
Looking to voice your opposition to Pryce and the Ohio Republican Party? First Lady Laura Bush will be doing a fundraiser for Pryce this Tuesday, May 2nd
at the Hyatt Regency Hotel
350 N. High St.
11:00 am Reception and Photo Opportunity
12:00 pm Luncheon (doors close promptly at 11:30 am)
$5000 - Reception & Photo Opportunity (Pryce's constituents can't afford to attend because we're spending our money filling gas tanks.)
$250 - Luncheon only (Can't afford this either--I need to fill my gas tank!)