In Ney’s “Sideswiped: Lessons Learned Courtesy of the Hit Men of Capitol Hill,” Boehner is portrayed as more concerned about fundraising and fun than governing. “Many felt his money-raising focus would make up for his lack of concern about legislation — he was considered a man who was all about winning and money,” writes Ney. “He was a chain-smoking, relentless wine drinker who was more interested in the high life — golf, women, cigarettes, fun, and alcohol.”

Ney goes on to say that Boehner was lazy, took thousands of dollars in booze, food and golf games from lobbyists, and repeatedly slid around ethics rules: “John got away with more than any other member on the Hill” because he was well-liked and well-protected by his staff.

Then again, Ney has plenty of his own issues — the self-described alcoholic was a major player in the Jack Abramoff scandal, pled guilty to corruption charges and spent more than a year in prison.

“This is a convicted felon with a history of failing to tell the truth making a lot of baseless accusations to try and sell books,” Boehner spokesman Michael Steel told us. “More than anything else, it’s sad.”