Ohio Rep. Ney resigns from Congress

? Rep. Bob Ney, of Ohio, who pleaded guilty last month in the Jack Abramoff influence-peddling investigation, resigned from Congress on Friday.

The Ohio Republican, who had been pressed to quit by fellow lawmakers, sent a letter of resignation to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, according to Ney’s chief of staff, David Popp.

“I can confirm the letter has been delivered to the speaker,” Popp said in an electronic mail message to The Associated Press. The speaker’s office would not confirm whether it had received the letter.

Ney pleaded guilty Oct. 13 to conspiracy and making false statements, acknowledging taking trips, tickets, meals and campaign donations from disgraced lobbyist Abramoff in return for official actions on behalf of Abramoff clients.

House Republicans had threatened to expel Ney if he didn’t quit by the time lawmakers returned to Washington after Tuesday’s elections.