Tonight on MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Howard Fineman of Newsweek said that Abramoff has threatened to name names in the penalty phase of his trial. Do you think Republican Rep. Bob Ney (OH-18) is worried? I hope so. Ney must believe he is above the law.
This is from the Chillicothe Gazette:
One of Rep. Bob Ney’s Democratic challengers Tuesday called for his resignation if Ney is named in the Jack Abramoff corruption probe.
But Ney isn’t planning on giving up his seat any time soon, his spokesperson said.
Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer was joined by Ohio Democratic Party Chair Chris Redfern in calling for Ney’s immediate resignation in the event that Abramoff names Ney as “Representative Number One.”
Abramoff's attorney said Monday that the disgraced lobbyist would "name names" and "provide the public with evidence" of Abramoff's cooperation in the federal government's case. Ney has been linked by sources close to the probe as “Representative Number One.”
"When Jack Abramoff 'names names,' ‘Representative Number One’ will likely be first on the list," Sulzer said. "That is why I am calling on Bob Ney to resign immediately if Jack Abramoff names him. The ongoing investigation of Ney's corruption is keeping him from doing the job that we elected him to do."
Ney — through his spokesperson, Brian Walsh — called the announcement another in a series of negative attacks. He also hit at Sulzer’s connection with trial lawyers.
“Joe Sulzer has a history of siding with and taking money from trial lawyers so it's not a surprise that he would base his latest negative attacks solely on the tainted words of a slick trial lawyer and a convicted felon like Jack Abramoff,” said Walsh.
Tuesday’s announcement was not unexpected since Sulzer is considered the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in the 18th District race. The primary is May 2.
"We sent Bob Ney to Congress to protect our jobs and uphold our values," said Redfern. "We didn't elect him to take golfing trips to Scotland, wine and dine with corrupt lobbyists, and raise money for his legal defense fund."
