WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Republican Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio -- following a long probe into his ties to lobbyist Jack Abramoff -- pleaded guilty Friday to charges of conspiracy and making false statements, Ney and the Justice Department said.
Prosecutors agreed to recommend 27 months in prison if Ney cooperates with the Justice Department's ongoing influence peddling investigation. (
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Sources said Thursday that Ney had entered an alcohol rehabilitation facility earlier this week -- something the congressman confirmed in a statement Friday.
Ney, who had long steadfastly denied wrongdoing, became the only member of Congress to plead guilty as part of the extensive investigation. Abramoff and his business partner, Michael Scanlon, have pleaded guilty to bribery charges.
