It's more bad news for Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH). His former chief of staff, Neil Volz, has pled guilty to one count of conspiracy in connection with his work while on Ney's staff, and his lobbying activities following. Volz worked for Ney until 2002, then went to work for Jack Abramoff. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Ney has been implicated in four guilty pleas: Michael Scanlon, Jack Abramoff, ex-DeLay staffer Tony Rudy, and now Volz. Nevertheless, Ney released a statement shortly after the plea announcing that he is "more confident than ever that he will be vindicated in this matter."

TPM Muckraker has more on the dealings between Ney, Abramoff and Volz - as well as the full text of Ney's statement following Volz's plea.