Never Ending Political Scandal

The latest admission of corruption by a top congressional aide gives credence to the fact that the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal is like the famous Energizer bunny that just keeps on going.

Today’s guilty plea by a former congressional chief of staff to Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH) is the third by a top Congressional aide involved in the Abramoff criminal investigation. More are sure to follow.

Neal Volz admitted he participated in a conspiracy to corrupt Ney and other members of Congress and their aides with trips, free tickets and meals. Volz admitted he engaged in the conspiracy for more than four years, both while he was Ney’s chief of staff and after he left to work for Abramoff, one of Washington’s best-connected lobbyists and a major fundraiser for both parties.

Among the projects Volz worked on was securing a lucrative contract for Israeli communications giant Foxcom Wireless to improve cell phone reception in the House office building.

The chips will probably keep falling in this case. Volz is the fifth cooperating witness who has struck a deal with officials to provide damaging evidence in the ongoing Abramoff investigation. Two former aides to former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas have already pleaded guilty in their roles in the conspiracy.

Jack in the House says that, since Ney has been implicated in crimes related to Abramoff and his cohorts, Ney should take responsibility for his unethical and illegal actions and step down from office.