Ex-Rep. Ney gets earlier release date

Ney is undergoing
treatment for alcohol abuse while serving a sentence in a political scandal.

COLUMBUS (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. Bob Ney has undergone alcohol treatment, and his scheduled prison release date has been moved up.

Ney, a six-term Republican from Heath in central Ohio, resigned his office during a congressional corruption probe and last March 1 began serving a 30-month sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy and making false statements.

Earlier set for release in May 2009, Ney’s release date is now listed as Aug. 16, 2008, on the Web site of the Federal Corrections Institution in Morgantown, W.Va.

William Lawler, Ney’s attorney, said on Monday that Ney was making good progress and he expected him to be moved to a halfway house for his transition to full release.

“There is a good chance he could be released to a halfway house this month,” Lawler said. “I think he’s doing pretty well. He’s paid a lot of attention to his rehabilitation efforts and his substance abuse efforts.”

Ney, 53, will get earlier release under a provision that gives him time off after completing residential drug treatment program, prison spokeswoman Veronica Fernandez said.

Under the nine-month program, inmates attend meetings four hours a day, five days a week, Fernandez said.

They must continue aftercare treatment after graduating from the program, which can be done in a residential program or halfway house.

Ney acknowledged trading his influence for golf trips, campaign donations and other gifts arranged by lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his associates.