By all indications the federal probe stemming from the deeds of now convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff appear to be heating up. Last week Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.) stepped down from the House Appropriations Committee after his house was raided by federal investigators. Doolittle's former aide, Kevin Ring, resigned from his firm Barnes & Thornburg. And just yesterday a former Hill staffer pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy.
But in a document filed yesterday in D.C. federal court, prosecutors indicate that the cooperation of one key individual — Neil Volz, former Abramoff associate and chief of staff to former Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) — may be coming to an end.
According to the document "the parties anticipate that Mr. Volz' cooperation may be substantially completed soon" and asked Judge Ellen Huvelle to order the completion of his Presentence Investigation Report, an indication that his sentencing may be near.
What that means for the investigation is unclear and it appears the government isn't entirely sure. As the document notes, "Of course, if Mr. Volz's cooperation takes more time than anticipated, then the parties will inform the Court of that fact as well."
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