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Ney officially calls it quits from congress

By TIMES WIRES
Published November 4, 2006

Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio, who pleaded guilty last month in the Jack Abramoff influence-peddling investigation resigned his seat in 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. 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. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said Ney's resignation four days before the elections was late.

washington

Light wind is cited in Lidle plane crash

A light wind was cited by federal investigators Friday for blowing a small airplane carrying Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle off course and into a New York City high-rise on Oct. 11.

The National Transportation Safety Board said the wind, coupled with the pilot's inability to turn sharply, forced the aircraft away from its intended path over the East River and into the building.

The airplane, which also carried flight instructor Tyler Stanger, struck the building and fell 30 stories to the street below. Investigators do not say whether they determined who was at the controls of the Cirrus SR20.

victorville, calif.

Car linked to other arsons; funerals held

A car linked to a man charged with setting a wildfire that killed five firefighters was spotted near at least 10 other arsons, an official involved in the investigation said Friday. Cameras placed atop utility poles in remote areas captured details of a car registered to a man who said he had sold it to Raymond Lee Oyler months ago.

On Thursday, when Oyler was charged with murder and arson, prosecutors described the evidence as overwhelming, but they have not given details.

The first funerals were held Friday for members of the five-member U.S. Forest Service crew that was overtaken Oct. 26 as the blaze roared through the San Jacinto Mountains.

los angeles

Mistrial in high-speed Ferrari crash declared

A judge declared a mistrial Friday in the fraud and grand theft trial of a Swedish businessman whose 162-mph wreck in a classic Ferrari led to the charges alleging he stole two luxury sports cars. Jurors told Judge Patricia Schnegg they were deadlocked 10-2 in favor of convicting Bo Stefan Eriksson.

Eriksson, 44, was charged with two counts each of grand theft and fraudulent concealment with intent to defraud. Prosecutors said he stopped making payments on two luxury cars he had borrowed millions of dollars to lease and then tried to hide them. The District Attorney's Office said it would retry him.

[Last modified November 4, 2006, 01:28:55]