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Politics
Ex-Abramoff associate lobbies for Montana project


A former associate of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff is representing a Montana water project using state funds, The Billings Gazette reports.

Neil Volz, a former chief of staff for Rep. Robert Ney (R-Ohio), has been lobbying for Carter County and the Dry Prairie Rural Water Authority. Officials involved with the project, which is part of a larger venture that would bring water to the Fort Peck Reservation, said they would fire him if he was indicted on any charges.

Volz [Bio] used to work for Greenberg Traurig but now works for Barnes & Thornburg. Lobbying records show that his current clients include the Hopi Tribe Arizona. the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Washington [Records].

According to The Washington Post, Volz has been told that a possible bribery case is being prepared against him and his former boss, Congressman Ney, for their dealings with Abramoff and former public relations consultant Michael Scanlon, who is cooperating with the probe.

Get the Story:
Feds investigating project's lobbyist (The Billings Gazette 12/1)

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