Jeffrey Neely, the General Services Administration Regional executive who hosted the Western Regions Conference, invoked his Fifth Amendment rights on Monday during questioning from House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa. Mr. Neely left the hearing immediately after the questioning and ran from reporters.
Rep. Issa, California Republican, told Fox and Friends hosts on Tuesday that Mr. Neely could very well face jail.
“The IG has requested the money back, but sadly the money they stole officially are in the couple of thousands. The money they misused, which is over a couple of hundred thousand dollars we’re unlikely to see back. But Mr. Neely may be seeing prison time,” Issa said. “I believe that’s the reason he chose to take the fifth—not because of the questions we wanted to ask but because of questions of his personal conduct tat he doesn’t want to take a chance on being asked.”
Issa also pointed out that Neely may be excused for today’s hearing now that Neely has taken the fifth.
Congressman John Mica, Florida Republican and Oversight Committee member, spoke to reporters after Monday’s hearing. Mr. Mica expects former GSA official Robert Peck to be a witness today.
“The conversations I had with our staff and counsel in the last few hours indicate that he come in…that he appear. Mr. Peck is also on the witness list,” Rep. Mica said. From what I’ve heard, he’ll probably do the same thing [Neely] did.“
Inspector General Brian Miller told the committee he was not finished investigating the GSA. According to the IG’s report, the GSA spent $823,000 of taxpayers’ money on the 2010 Las Vegas Conference.
“We do have other ongoing investigations including all sorts of improprieties, including bribes, possibly kickbacks but I’d have to check precisely on kickbacks,” Miller said.
Miller recommended that charges be brought forth.
