Ney has fund-raiser, denies wrongdoing

COLUMBUS (AP) -- Ohio Congressman Bob Ney's ties to an indicted Washington lobbyist haven't hampered his ability to organize a fund-raiser in Columbus today.
Three Republican members of Congress, Reps. Deborah Pryce and Pat Tiberi, both of Columbus, and David Hobson of Springfield, agreed to serve as hosts and donate $2,000 apiece to Ney's re-election campaign.
They'll also seek $500 donations from individuals and $1,000 from political action committees.
While the donations are for Ney's campaign fund, some of it could be used for legal bills. Ney spent $135,000 from his campaign kitty for a Washington law firm representing him in the investigation of former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
A former partner of Abramoff's has said Ney accepted gifts in exchange for helping their clients. Ney has denied any wrongdoing. No charges have been brought against the Heath Republican.
Regarding his support of Ney, Hobson said, "I have no reason to doubt him when he claims he didn't do anything wrong."
Tiberi echoed his sentiment. "I take Bob at his word that he's innocent and that he was duped by these folks," he said.
Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer, mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate for Ney's seat next year, said the fund-raiser makes it clear that Ney plans to seek re-election "when he has all these clouds ... hanging over his head. It's pure arrogance."