Bob Ney's Redemption after Jack Abramoff Scandal

Those of us who were sucked into the wreckage left behind by Jack Abramoff share a form of PTSD -- Post Traumatic Scandal Disorder.

When you go through a D.C. scandal together, you're like war buddies: You share an experience that no one else can understand, but you also remind each other of painful emotions.

When we Abramoff scandal survivors see each other, we never discuss the topic – it's an open Department of Justice investigation after all – but we communicate with our eyes the shared understanding of shock and pain in our lives.

So after not speaking to former Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) for over seven years, I was shocked to see him comment on my debut Emily's Post column on Politics Daily. He then sent me a tweet that he was talking about my column on his radio show Thursday. I called in, and was put right on the air for a live interview (click play below to listen).

For those of you who don't follow D.C. scandals as closely as we do, Ney pleaded guilty to doing official favors for Jack Abramoff in exchange for campaign contributions, sporting event tickets and meals and served 17 months in jail. Abramoff is serving time in Cumberland, Md., after pleading guilty to fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials.

"I accepted things I shouldn't have with the result that Jack Abramoff used my name to advance his own secret schemes of fraud and theft in way I could never have imagined," Ney said in part in a written statement after his sentencing hearing.

On Thursday's radio show, Ney and I discussed our shared outrage that George Hickenlooper, a Hollywood director, would film the movie "Casino Jack" using both our real names, but never asking our permission and having complete disregard for the truth.

On Wednesday, I noticed Hickenlooper wrote on my Facebook page: "Congratulations on your new gossip column, Emily. I look forward to reading it regularly! And I look forward to showing the movie! You are terrific in it! And you look gorgeous!"

Outraged, I did not respond to Hickenlooper referring to to a fictional character that bears no semblance of similarity to me except my name. His "You look gorgeous" is the most inane comment because 1) "you" is referencing the actress Rachelle Lefevre and 2) why would I care about the fictional character's appearance when I'm being slandered and my character defamed?

In my radio talk with Ney, I was unable to hold back my simmering frustration that a director is using my life and name to make a buck. I asked rhetorically if this arrogance comes from Hollywood's belief that it can just run rough-shod over people. Ney said he had some knowledge of how he was being depicted in this movie -- starring Kevin Spacey as Jack Abramoff -- and Ney said that various situations are depicted falsely.

In the version of the script that I have from a friend of a friend, there are several scenes of "Emily Miller" interacting with Jack Abramoff, which is very interesting (note sarcasm) since I have NEVER met Jack Abramoff. Never. Not once.

Keeping a good sense of humor, Ney joked that he was just glad he wasn't being played by Drew Carey, since he had lost 60 pounds in jail. Unlike others who have pleaded guilty in the Abramoff scandal but not gone to jail or paid the fines yet, Ney decided to go to rehab to treat his alcoholism and get sentenced almost immediately. I always admired him for taking his medicine like a man -- going to jail, serving his sentence , not complaining.

After his release from jail, Ney got into talk radio and now has his own daily show on WVLY-AM. Talking on the live radio show Thursday, Ney ruminated about clearing up misconceptions by telling his story. I hope he does open up because I know there are two sides to every story, and he is a great example of redemption.

And knowing Bob Ney professionally -- he was one of the deputy whips when I was communications director for Majority Whip Tom DeLay -- I found him to be kind to staff, funny, loyal and hard working. As humans, we all have our strengths and weaknesses, successes and failures, and I'm interested in hearing Bob Ney's life story.

So, as fate would have it, it took less than a day for me to find the first person to spotlight for bravery and honesty in this new gossip column. Bob Ney made mistakes, but he accepted the consequences and has found redemption and a new career and life outside of Washington.

Follow me on Twitter @EmilyMillerDC