Robert W. Ney - Sideswiped: Lessons Learned Courtesy of the Hit Men of Capitol Hill

Excerpts from Into the Sun, Volz, Neil (2011) Author House, used by permission of the author.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available through the Library of Congress.

ISBN: 978-0-9843047-7-6

eISBN: 9780988247642

Copyright 2013 by Robert W. Ney

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.

Editor: Shari Johnson

Cover and Interior design: Gary A. Rosenberg www.thebookcouple.com
Author's photo courtesy of Tim Ritter

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

I dedicate this book to my friend, Ellen Ratner.
You have been my friend, mentor, psychiatrist,
specialist, enforcer, tough-love implementer,
travel and adventure partner, and many more
aspects that one human being brings to another
along their journey. "To the world you may be one
person, but to one person you may be the world."
You are the world to me, a gift to many others,
and you are famous among those who know
and love you for your rare ability to do
what you say you will.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
AND THANKS

In this section of the book there are so many that can be included (and many I have probably forgotten to include) who have been all-important to my life. I am forever thankful to all of my family, both here and departed; friends; acquaintances; even some who may not be friends; and for the experience and lessons learned.

Thank you...

First and foremost, to my wonderful, loving parents, Dorothy and Bob Ney, who brought me into this world, nurtured me and gave me absolutely the best guidance (that I, unfortunately, did not always follow). I love you and cherish your unconditional love for me.

To my beloved children, Bobby Ney and Kayla Kidd, I have lived a thousand lifetimes of happiness due to your love, support, and the blessings that you have bestowed on your mother and me. You have turned into fantastic adults. I appreciate also the support of your spouses, Julie and Adam.

To Aaliyah, my loving, beautiful granddaughteryou have constantly filled my days with joy and wonderment.

To my Sister Emmy Lou, brother-in-law, Rick Charlton, and my nieces and nephewsfor being with me through my toughest times.

To my wonderful aunts, uncles, and cousins.

To my grandparents who have passed on, Marguerite and Elmer McCloud, Mildred and Charles Ricer, and William Ney.

To Bruce Velt, thanks for all the years of support.

To my college friends Tim Ritter, Deborah Akers and husband, Sami Shubaily.

To Warren Papasfrom Saudi Arabia to America, I appreciate everything.

To Dr. Renato and Nancy Dela Cruz, thanks for being there for me and for my family.

To Matt and Marina Parker, special thanks and God bless you!

To Bob Wallace and Terry Wallace, thank you.

Thank you, Corey Lewandowski.

To Howard Monroe at WVLY, a voice of reason in the wilderness.

To Cholene Espinoza, who has been there to encourage me and, when needed, stepped in to be a voice of reason to make things better.

To my Ohio State House friends: Neil Clark, Stanley J. Aronoff, Mike Morrison, Pat Sweeney, Harry Meshel, Nick Zimmers, Greg Haas, John Climaco, the late Verne Riffe and many more.

To the Members of Congress I served withthere are so many good people on both sides of the aisle, and great moments that the media has not covered. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and the memories you have given me.

A special note to Congressman Steve and Jennifer LaTouretteyour support has meant the world to me.

To all of the staff from the Ohio House, Ohio Senate, and Congressional days: You served the people of the nation and I thank you for it. My deepest sorrow for how it ended, because of me.

To the constituents of the 18th District: You are amazing people who have had to endure tough economic times. You are what America is about. My deepest apologies again for the disgrace I brought you and for breaking your trust in me. You are truly exceptional people, and I thank you for supporting me over the years.

To the Vinson and Elkins Law Firm: Mark Touhey, Bill Lawler, David Hawkins, and Craig Margolis. Your legal prowess was amazing.

Special thanks to Bill Lawleryour ongoing friendship is so appreciated.

To Neil Volz, as we turn new pages as friends.

To Judge Huvelleyou have helped me in my new path.

To my friends who helped me in recoveryRuss P., Tim H., John P., Steve C., Justin J., Kevin I., Brian I., Michael D., Rich J., Joe B., Bill and Judy M., Scott R., Cody C., Denny M., Judy E., Daryl M., Jan and John W., Trisha P., Dixie, Sue and many more friends I have met in the rooms, who have educated me.

To my Texas Hold 'em buddies who made my entry back into the world fun, although not profitableEthan P., John "Doc" D., Stephen R., Chris S., Andrew M., John P., Mitch K., Trevor B., Steve and Trisha W., and Michael T.

To Francesca Minerva and the staff at Changing Lives Press, who published this book.

To my editor, Shari Johnson. As I struggled nearly a year ago to write this book, holed up in a hut in India, you playfully dubbed me "Ernest Hemingway." I literally could not have written thiswithout not only your command of the "King's English," but also your guidance, tough love when needed, prayers, and encouraging e-mails when I felt like stopping. You are truly a magnificent human being and I cherish the relationship that the Internet helped us develop over nearly a year's time.

Throughout all of this, I am humbled and thankful to the Master of GraceThe Bread of LifeOur Lord.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

II CORINTHIANS 12:8-9

This book has been in the making for over five years. I first thought about writing my ideas down while in federal prisonor, as I refer to Morgan-town Federal Correctional Institution,"The Bush Housing Program." I quickly concluded that writing a book while incarcerated was not a good way to win friends and/or keep a low profile. To put one's candid, honest thoughts (or any thoughts) in writing while incarcerated is not only foolish, but would provide delightful entertainment for the guards if they were to read it. Remaining low key is essentialespecially for high-profile persons such as Jack Abramoff and me. (I was amused to see Jack give Rod Blagojevich, convicted former Governor of Illinois, advice about that.) Jack had Kevin Spacey, the actor who played the role of Jack in the movie Casino Jack, visit him in prisonand although I am a big Kevin Spacey fan, it wasn't exactly a low-profile move.) Besides, writing a book in prison was out of the question in the legal sense of not profiting from one's crime while incarcerated.