Ripples in the Abramoff scandal
The week's news at a glance.
Washington, DC
A major influence-peddling investigation is drawing closer to a prominent Ohio congressman. Neil Volz, a lobbyist who served as chief of staff to Rep. Robert Ney, admitted this week that he acted to “corruptly influence” his former boss. Volz left Ney’s staff in 2002 to work for lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who has admitted that he defrauded clients and provided kickbacks to several members of Congress. While working for Abramoff, Volz said, he treated Ney to golf junkets in Scotland, tickets to the Fiesta Bowl, and resort vacations. In return, Volz said, Ney sponsored legislation favorable to Abramoff’s clients, including Indian tribes looking to expand gambling operations. Ney’s lawyer said Volz and others claiming that Ney was bribed are “flat making it up” to win favor with prosecutors.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What should you be stockpiling for 'World War Three'?
In the Spotlight Britons advised to prepare after the EU tells its citizens to have an emergency kit just in case
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Carnivore diet: why people are eating only meat
The Explainer 'Meatfluencers' are taking social media by storm but experts warn meat-only diets have health consequences
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human blood
Under the radar Drugging the bugs
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published