Lobbyist linked to Abramoff case resigns from law firm (Kevin Ring)

[seafan]

Source: AP

By: ERICA WERNER
April 16, 2007


WASHINGTON -- A lobbyist tied to the Jack Abramoff influence-peddling scandal has resigned from the law firm where he worked, company officials said Monday.
Kevin Ring worked with Abramoff until early 2005 and previously was an aide to California GOP Rep. John Doolittle, whose ties to the convicted GOP lobbyist are under investigation in the ongoing corruption probe.

Ring resigned effective last Friday from Barnes & Thornburg LLP, said managing partner Alan A. Levin. Ring joined Barnes & Thornburg after leaving Abramoff's firm, Greenberg Traurig LLP.
Barnes & Thornburg is based in Indianapolis and has offices throughout the Midwest and in Washington. Ring worked in the Washington office and focused on legislative issues.

Levin declined to comment on why Ring resigned. Ring's attorney, Richard Hibey, said Ring resigned of his own accord.

"He is being responsive to whatever is going on," Hibey said. He would not comment on whether Ring is cooperating with the Abramoff investigation.

In 2005, Ring exercised his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when he was brought before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee investigating the Abramoff scandal.

Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/04/17/news/politics/14_33_524_16_07.txt