William Heaton
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William Heaton is the former chief of staff for Rep. Bob Ney, who resigned in 2006 following a guilty plea for corruption related to Jack Abramoff. From September 2001 to February 2002, Heaton worked as Ney's executive assistant on the House Administration Committee In February 2002, he succeeded Neil Volz as Ney's chief of staff. At the age of 23, he was the youngest chief of staff on Capitol Hill. He left in July 2006. Heaton was named as "Staffer C" in Ney's plea deal of September 15, 2006.[1][2][3][4]
[edit] Trips with Ney
Heaton joined Ney on the summer 2002 trip to Scotland organized by Jack Abramoff. Others included David Safavian (now convicted), Paul D. Vinovich, Michael Williams, and Ralph Reed. Heaton was later subpoenaed by the David Safavian defense team in May 2006, but declined to testify, citing his right against self-incrimination.[5][6]
On August 29, 2003, Heaton joined Ney and another Ney staffer for a one-night stopover in London where they were furnished with thousands of dollars worth of gambling chips for use at private casinos. Ney lied to customs to smuggle in thousands of dollars received during the trip.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ The Factual Basis for Bob Ney's Plea Agreement
- ^ Rep. Ney faces more than 2 years in prison, The Hill
- ^ Rep. Ney Admits Selling Influence, Washington Post
- ^ Assistant to Rep. Ney Subpoenaed in Probe, Washington Post
- ^ Former Ney Aide Details How Abramoff Treated 'Champions' Washington Post
- ^ Safavian Jury Is Shown More Abramoff E-Mail, Washington Post
- ^ The Factual Basis for Bob Ney's Plea Agreement p. 8
