Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) faces a wider probe in connection with his dealings with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Ney was told by the Department of Justice that he was the subject of a possibly bribery case. In 2000, he placed comments in the Congressional record that helped Abramoff with a business deal.

The five-year statute of limitations expired last October and Ney had authorized a six-month extension. But the extension ran out last Thursday and Ney refused to renew it.

That means federal prosecutors could bring charges based on a broader conspiracy. In 2002, he promised to help insert language into legislation to help two Texas tribes reopen their casinos.

A spokesperson for Ney said the congressman expects to hear within the next two months whether he faces criminal charges. Ney said he will not end his campaign for re-election even if he were indicted.

Get the Story:
Prosecutors Opt for Wide Probe of Rep. Ney (The Washington Post 4/29)
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No more: Second deadline passes for filing charges in Florida fraud investigation (Copley News Service 4/29)
Ney is partially in clear; time runs out on charges (The Cleveland Plain-Dealer 4/29)

Relevant Links:
Rep. Bob Ney - http://ney.house.gov

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