WASHINGTON—A former aide to Rep. Robert Ney (R-Ohio) who worked with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff to help MobileAccess Inc. win a contract to improve in-building wireless service in the House pled guilty to conspiring to influence lawmakers by providing them with free meals, trips and entertainment in exchange for favorable legislative treatment.
Neil Volz faces a fine of $250,000 and five years in jail, but the penalties could be reduced as a result of his cooperation with Justice Department officials.
According to documents filed by U.S. prosecutors in federal court yesterday, Ney and Volz, the latter in his role as Ney’s aide, met May 10, 2001, with Abramoff and one of his clients, “agreeing to help the client pursue a license to install wireless infrastructure in the buildings of the House of Representatives.” The court filing said Ney, then-chairman of the House Administration Committee, had final authority to grant or deny the client’s application for the license.
 |
Ney, who temporarily stepped down from his post on the committee earlier this year, denies any wrongdoing.
“It is neither uncommon nor inappropriate for members of Congress to stay in touch with former staffers, especially when they are friends as Neil and the congressman were, and if Neil crossed an ethical line, he did so without congressman Ney’s knowledge. After reviewing today’s plea agreement against Neil Volz, which is thin at best, the congressman is more confident than ever that he will be vindicated in this matter,” said Brian Walsh, Ney’s press secretary, in a statement.
Walsh added, “There was no bribery, there was no quid pro quo and there was no wrongdoing committed by congressman Ney.”
Ney’s office said that while Ney at the time had final say on awarding the House in-building wireless license agreement, the Ohio lawmaker chose not to do decide the matter and instead allowed mobile-phone companies themselves to make the decision. Of the six wireless carriers polled, according to Ney’s office, three chose MobileAccess and three indicated no preference.
MobileAccess, a privately held Israeli firm launched in 1998 and now headquartered in Vienna, Va., bested LGC Wireless for the reported $4 million contract to improve mobile reception in House buildings.
LGC previously claimed it could do the job cheaper than MobileAccess (formerly Foxcom Wireless).
