Jan. 15 (Bloomberg) -- House Administration Committee Chairman Bob Ney, an Ohio Republican, said tonight he will temporarily relinquish his chairmanship, a decision made amid allegations he received gifts and other benefits from Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

``I informed House Speaker Dennis Hastert of my decision to temporarily step down,'' Ney said in a prepared statement from his office this evening. ``I want to assure my colleagues and my constituents that I have done absolutely nothing wrong and I am convinced that I will be vindicated completely.''

Ney was identified in Abramoff's indictment as ``Lawmaker A'' who received gifts and other benefits from Abramoff and a business partner, as the government continues a wide-scale investigation into the lobbyist's dealings. Abramoff has pleaded guilty to conspiracy, mail fraud and tax evasion in a congressional corruption probe and promised to aid the government's case. Ney hasn't been charged with any crime.

Ney has faced growing pressure from within his party to step aside as Republican leaders in the House and Senate work to craft broad-based legislation to address the growing scandal involving Abramoff. The scandal threatens to ensnare former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and other lawmakers of both political parties. On Jan. 13, a spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert said the party leader was in ``ongoing discussions'' with Ney about his chairmanship.

Ney's committee has oversight of federal elections and day- to-day functions of the House of Representatives, which would place it in charge of considering the overhaul of lobbying rules.

`Serious Decisions'

Earlier today, one of three candidates to replace DeLay as majority leader said on ``Fox News Sunday'' that it would be appropriate for Ney to step aside. House Education and Workforce Chairman John Boehner, who's also an Ohio Republican, said Ney should consider that step.

``Bob has to make some serious decisions about whether he should stay there, given the allegations that have been raised against him,'' Boehner said. ``He should do what's in the best interest of our party.''

The two other candidates for leader -- acting House Majority Leader Roy Blunt of Missouri and Representative John Shadegg of Arizona -- weren't asked about Ney's future as chairman.

Ney was elected to the House in 1994 after serving from 1981 to 1983 in the Ohio state house as a representative, and then in the Ohio Senate from 1984 to 1994. In addition to serving as chairman of the administration panel, he serves on the financial services committee, and the transportation and infrastructure committee.

Ney easily won election in 2004 with 66 percent of the vote, but the Abramoff scandal is having an impact on his 2006 prospects. The Cook Political Report, which rates House and Senate races, in a Jan. 13 assessment rated Ney's re-election bid against Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer, the leading Democrat, a ``toss up'' race.

To contact the reporter on this story: Laura Litvan in Washington at llitvan@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: January 15, 2006 21:04 EST