CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Former Ohio U.S. Rep. Bob Ney was released from a halfway house Friday, sources told NEWS9's Scott MacFarlane.

The longtime Republican representative was serving time after he pleaded guilty to exchanging political favors for money and gifts.

Ney resigned from office and was sentenced to 30 months in prison, first in West Virginia, then in a halfway house in Cincinnati. Ney served only 17 1/2 months of his sentence.

Sources said it's likely Ney’s sentence was reduced because he completed substance abuse therapy behind bars. Ethics groups said they’re satisfied and that even the reduced sentence sent a message to other politicians.

“Mr. Ney has clearly been punished for his behavior; he has no more career. He gave up all the power that he had. I wouldn’t say life is exactly great for Mr. Ney right now,” said Melanie Sloan of Citizens for Ethics in Washington.

Since being at the halfway house, Ney has been allowed to hold a job outside the facility during daytime hours.