Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee for his involvement with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, The Hill newspaper reports.

Ney welcomes the probe in order to clear up "misleading reporting we have seen on the part of the inside-the-beltway media," a spokesperson said. Ney surfaced last month as part of a $4.2 million lobbying scheme to help the Tigua Tribe of Texas reopen its casino.

Ney said he was "duped" by Abramoff into seeking a legislative rider favoring the tribe. Yet he continued to push for the proposal and even spoke with the tribal council after the effort failed, according to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee investigation.

More hearings on the subject are planned next year.

Get the Story:
Battle escalates over ethics (The Hill 12/15)

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