Reply #3: Former Ney aide to plead guilty in scandal [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

Former Ney aide to plead guilty in scandal
Ex-chief of staff charged in Abramoff lobbying-influence peddling probe
By Joel Seidman
Producer
NBC News
Updated: 12 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - William Heaton, the former chief of staff to convicted Ohio republican congressman Bob Ney was charged today with a single felony count of conspiracy in the ongoing Washington influence peddling probe of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Heaton is expected to plead guilty before U.S. District Judge Ellen Huvelle.
(snip)

Abramoff Russian connection
Prosecutors wrote that Heaton "enjoyed and coordinated" many of the gifts Ney received. He traveled with the congressman on a golf junket to Scotland; trips Lake George, N.Y.; and New Orleans. Heaton also took thousands of dollars' worth of gambling chips during an trip to London from a foreign businessman.

But one of his largest roles was helping Abramoff's Russian clients.
(snip/...)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17348236/