The last time David DiStefano served as chief of staff, he helped to entangle his former boss in an episode that contributed to the congressman's resignation from office and 30-month prison sentence. Rep. Mike Carey (R-Ohio) is probably hoping this time that hiring DiStefano as his top staffer will be different.
Carey was sworn in to the House on Thursday. DiStefano's last congressional stint began in 1995, when he helmed the office of then-Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio). DiStefano left Ney's office in 1998 for a successful lobbying career that was largely free from controversy - with one notable exception.
In 2006, once Ney had ascended to chair of the powerful House Administration Committee, DiStefano and a fellow lobbyist arranged a London meeting between Ney and two notorious heads of FN Aviation. The Cyprus-based company reportedly paid for Ney and a congressional staffer's London trips, which included thousands of dollars in gambling chips. Ney then unsuccessfully lobbied then-Secretary of State Colin Powell to exempt FN Aviation from certain sanctions so that the company could sell U.S. airplane parts to Iran.
As an investigation arising from the Jack Abramof investigations, Ney later admitted to accepting lavish illegal gifts, including those arising from the FN Aviation deal, and pleaded guilty to charges of corruption and false statements.
