Abramoff Scandal Claims Another GOP Congressman

Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH), knee deep in the Abramoff lobbying scandal, announced today that he's dropping his re-election bid. The Pittsburg Tribune-Review reports:

Entangled in the scandals involving former Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, embattled U.S. Rep. Robert Ney is ending his re-election bid.

Although Ney had vowed to stay in the race even if he is indicted, the Ohio Republican decided last week to bow out. He said he has informed House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, of the decision.

"I'm doing this for one reason: my family," Ney said in an exclusive interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "My wife and two children have been through enough. I really believe this is the best decision."

Ney's fate was probably sealed when his former chief of staff and former Barnes & Thornburg attorney Neil Volz pleaded guilty in May to conspiring to use gifts and trips to influence Ney. This is far from being over. You can bet this scandal will claim several more congressmen before it runs its course.