Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, has agreed to plead guilty to federal criminal charges related to his dealings with the lobbyist Jack Abramoff, lawyers and others with knowledge of the investigation said Thursday. Rep. Ney was one of the primary authors of The Help America Vote Act of 2002 and in his position as chairman of the committee on House Administration has blocked the consideration of any election reform legislation since that time. He released this statement today. A statement from Rep. Ney's lawyers can be downloaded here.

As shown in papers filed in court, I have reached an agreement to bring the government's investigation of me to an end. The agreement will enable me to accept responsibility for what I have done, to start repairing the damage I have caused and to start healing my family.

I have made serious mistakes and am sorry for them. I am very sorry for the pain I have caused to my family, my constituents in Ohio and my colleagues.

I know that this plea agreement will probably forever change the way people view my public service. I regret this very much because I hope and believe that I have helped people through my work, and I hope that someday the good I have tried to do will be measured along side the mistakes I have made.