Former Ney aide pleads guilty in congressional bribery case

February 27, 2007
Former Ney aide pleads guilty in congressional bribery case

WASHINGTON — The top aide to convicted former Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio pleaded guilty Monday to federal conspiracy charges stemming from a congressional bribery scandal that downed his boss.

Smiling nervously at times, William Heaton, 28, acknowledged accepting a golf trip to Scotland, expensive meals, and tickets to sporting events between 2002 and 2004 as payoffs for helping clients of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Heaton worked for Ney, a Republican, from September 2001 to July 2006, ultimately serving as his chief of staff.