tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359879662011-04-21T14:31:13.182-07:00iggyrichmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03203632489974753930noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35987966.post-1160775402474632912006-10-13T14:36:00.000-07:002006-10-13T14:36:42.483-07:00A senior Republican congressman linked to disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff has pleaded guilty to bribery charges in Washington. <br/><br/>Bob Ney from Ohio admitted offering political favours for money and gifts from Abramoff and his clients. <br/><br/>Mr Ney also pleaded guilty to conspiracy and making false statements. <br/><br/>Abramoff's shady business dealings continue to rock the Republican Party in the run-up to next month's mid-term polls, the BBC's Jonathan Beale says. <br/><br/>Abramoff has admitted to conspiracy to bribe public officials. <br/><br/>A congressional inquiry recently found that he had more extensive contacts with the White House than previously acknowledged. <br/><br/>But White House officials said the report was based on records that were "widely regarded as fraudulent". <br/><br/>The report did not suggest the Bush administration was guilty of impropriety. <br/><br/>Prison term <br/><br/>Mr Ney was asked in court if he had taken money, gifts and favours in return for using his political influence on behalf of Abramoff and his clients. <br/><br/>He pleaded guilty. His lawyer said Mr Ney had made an error in judgement and was ashamed at the way his political career had ended. <br/><br/>Mr Ney is expected to resign his seat in Congress within weeks. <br/><br/>The congressman now faces more than two years in prison and fines of between $5,000 (Ј2,700) and $60,000 (Ј32,300).<br/><br/> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/35987966-116077540247463291?l=rambrenda.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>iggyrichmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03203632489974753930noreply@blogger.com1