Neil Volz, ex-Rep. Bob Ney’s (R-OH) former chief of staff, and one of Jack Abramoff’s partners in crime was richly rewarded for his ample cooperation with investigators today. Judge Ellen Huvelle sentenced him to two years probation and $2,000.
Prosecutors had suggested no jail time for Volz since he’d been such a helpful cooperator in putting away Ney and offering muck on other lawmakers. The judge went along with that, saying that “The government has clearly viewed you as the key to their case against Congressman Ney.”
Ney’s other former aide who cooperated against him, Will Heaton, also got off with no jail time.
Update: More from the AP here.