An overseas golf trip ruined his career and landed him to prison. But former Ohio Congressman Bob Ney appears ready to resume his travels.

A U.S. District Court judge in Washington has granted Ney’s request for a U.S. passport. The same judge had ordered the passport revoked in 2007, shortly after the former five-term Congressman pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge.

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WEB EXTRA: Official Court Paperwork

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Ney, who served five terms representing Ohio’s 18th Congressional District, admitted accepting money and gifts during overseas trips, in exchange for government favors. Ney’s association with former lobbyist Jack Abramoff led to an investigation of the then-Congressman’s office and international travels. Abramoff and Ney were both eventually sentenced to federal prison for corruption. The two took part in an infamous, luxury golf trip to Scotland, which raised red flags with the United States Department of Justice. The Abramoff lobbying scandal remains an open investigation at the Justice Department. A Ney aide was also prosecuted in the case.

Ney served 17 months in federal prison in Morgantown, W. Va., before his release in August. He remains under federal supervision in his Columbus-area home. David Hawkins, an attorney representing Ney, confirmed to WTOV9.com that Ney requested his passport be returned by the court. He wouldn’t comment on the timing or the motive of the request.

Ney’s future prospects remain unclear. He didn’t return emails requesting comment from WTOV9.com. The one-time member of Republican party leadership hasn’t ruled out a return to public life. The 18th Congressional District is believed to be a prime opportunity for a Republican victory in 2010.