Mistrial Declared In Corruption Case Against Abramoff Associate

October 16, 2009 3:00 p.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - A federal judge has declared a mistrial on the charges against Kevin Ring, a former Republican lobbyist and congressman's aide who is accused of conspiring with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff of corrupting federal officials, because of the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

According to the National Journal, Judge Ellen Huvelle of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia declared a mistrial after the jury could not find consensus on all eight charges against Ring. A new trial may be held next year.

A legislative aide to former Rep. John Doolittle, Ring who was indicted last September of conspiring with Abramoff to give "things of value" to public officials in return for "official actions" favorable to him and his clients - Indian tribes looking to operate gambling casinos.

Doolittle who retired after nine terms this year and was forced to step down from the House Appropriations Committee in April 2007 after the FBI raided his Virginia home. He has not been charged but is being investigated for allegedly accepting donations from Abramoff. Federal prosecutors have also said Doolittle's wife worked for Abramoff while raising funds for her husband's campaigns.

Abramoff is currently serving a six-year sentence for charges of conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion. He was convicted by a Florida court in 2006 after pleading guilty to sending a fake wire transfer worth more than $20 million to buy the SunCruz Casino in 2000. In September 2008, he was convicted on separate charges in Washington for bribing public officials.

Abramoff was sentenced to a reduced term of four years for the Washington charges because of his cooperation in the federal probe that has led to 13 guilty pleas and the convictions of officials, including former Justice Department Division Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Coughlin, former Deputy Interior Secretary J. Steven Griles and former Ohio Rep. Bob Ney.